Who is a good candidate for bilateral STN DBS, and what are the contraindications?

Good candidates include patients with advanced Parkinson's disease who have motor fluctuations, dyskinesias, or tremor that is not adequately controlled with medication, and who have had a good response to levodopa. Contraindications include significant cognitive impairment, untreated depression or psychosis, active infection, bleeding disorders, or structural brain abnormalities that would interfere with electrode placement. A thorough multidisciplinary evaluation is required to confirm suitability.