Each person living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) will have a unique journey with their treatments, including the decision to have deep brain stimulation (DBS), which is a surgical procedure to treat Parkinson’s motor symptoms. While DBS isn’t suitable for everyone, it can be helpful in the right person, and it’s a complex, lifelong choice. And although the experience goes far beyond surgery day, brain surgery often looms large in people’s minds as they are contemplating DBS. In this episode, our expert panelists tackle community-sourced questions on DBS surgery day: what to wear, how loved ones can support, what it feels like to be awake during brain surgery and more. Tune in to hear from two people who have had DBS, a neurosurgeon and a movement disorder specialist and learn more about the realities of surgery day.  

For more information on deep brain stimulation, download our newly updated, comprehensive guide or check out our webinar at michaeljfox.org.

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The Foundation’s landmark study, the Parkinson’s Progression Marker’s Initiative, also known as PPMI, is recruiting volunteers. People from all backgrounds with and without Parkinson’s can help move research forward. Join the study that’s changing everything at michaeljfox.org/podcast-ppmi.

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In 2024 alone, The Michael J. Fox Foundation awarded 195 research grants aimed at medication, mobility, medical devices and more to scientists around the world, all in pursuit of better treatments and closing in on a cure. Your support can accelerate this urgent research. Donate by visiting michaeljfox.org/weneedyou.