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Deep Brain and Motor Cortex Stimulation

  • Neuromodulation (M Gofeld, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Pain and Headache Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) and motor cortex stimulation (MCS) are established surgical modalities that have been successfully used over the last several decades for treatment of numerous chronic pain disorders. Most often, these approaches are reserved for severe, disabling, and medically refractory syndromes after less invasive approaches have been tried and have failed. Although the exact mechanism of action for DBS and MCS remains unknown, it appears that these central neuromodulation processes have multifactorial effects on central pain processing and descending pain inhibition. Clinical studies and laboratory reports have shed some light on stimulation details and optimal parameters, as well as the choice of stimulation targets, best surgical indications, and expected long-term outcomes. Based on the worldwide published experience, it appears that additional data is needed to obtain regulatory approval for both MCS and DBS for the treatment of pain. Following approval, further clinical research will shape the ability to initiate, implement, and update comprehensive patient and procedure selection paradigms.

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Conflict of Interest

Dr. Vishad V. Sukul and Dr. Konstantin V. Slavin each declare no potential conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA

    Vishad V. Sukul

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, 912 South Wood Street (MC 799), Chicago, IL, 60612, USA

    Konstantin V. Slavin

Authors
  1. Vishad V. Sukul
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  2. Konstantin V. Slavin
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Konstantin V. Slavin.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Neuromodulation

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Sukul, V.V., Slavin, K.V. Deep Brain and Motor Cortex Stimulation. Curr Pain Headache Rep 18, 427 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-014-0427-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-014-0427-2

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