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Benefits and risks of DBS therapy

Explore the data-backed benefits of Boston Scientific’s Vercise™ DBS System and the important safety information you should discuss with your care team when considering DBS for your Parkinson’s disease or essential tremor.

Choosing the right DBS System

Choosing a therapy for Parkinson’s disease (PD) or essential tremor (ET) is a big decision. You deserve clear facts to help you find the right fit. The Vercise DBS System offers a way for you and your doctor to manage your symptoms with precision.

Like any surgery, Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) has risks. The data below shows how our Image Guided Programming (IGP) technology works to help you regain control.

DBS therapy, your way

See if DBS therapy may be right for you

Answer a few quick questions about your PD or ET symptoms. It should take no more than 5 minutes, and you’ll get information on whether our personalized therapy might be right for you.

Get started

Has a physician diagnosed you or a loved one with Parkinson’s disease (PD) or essential tremor (ET)?

Expert insights and clinical results

How DBS works

See how Deep Brain Stimulation works to help improve your day-to-day symptoms from Parkinson’s or ET.

DBS efficacy and patient impact

See the data behind our clinical studies and how DBS aims to improve daily life.

What is Image Guided Programming?

Learn how your doctor uses IGP — a visual roadmap of your brain — to target your DBS therapy with precision.

Is DBS safe?

Dr. Jens Volkmann, Chairman, Neurology at University Clinic of Würzburg, explains the safety of our DBS System.

Clinical benefits of the Vercise DBS System

Clinical studies and real-world results show that the Vercise DBS System is effective in helping patients manage their movement disorder symptoms.

30% less medication

After 5 years, patients reported using ~30% less medication to manage their PD symptoms.¹

100% reported symptom relief

After 1 year with DBS, 100% of ET patients reported symptom improvement.2

56% less time programming

Image Guided Programming can cut programming time in half.3

84% of patients found relief after reprogramming

Personalized programming continues to improve symptoms and quality of life over time.4

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Clinical considerations and risks

Every surgical procedure involves risks. For DBS, these include potential complications during lead placement, such as bleeding in the brain, or device-related issues like infection or skin irritation.



Some patients may experience temporary side effects from stimulation, such as tingling or mood changes. Ask your doctor about how personalized programming can help.

Full indications, safety, and warnings
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Why Boston Scientific DBS

Discover how our expertise and technology help you get back to what matters. Learn why so many people — and their doctors — have chosen us as their partner for Deep Brain Stimulation therapy.

Why choose us

Is it time for you to consider DBS?

The right time for DBS is different for everyone. Explore resources specific to your diagnosis to find out where it fits in your care.

Who qualifies for DBS?

DBS for Parkinson’s disease

Learn about the "window of opportunity" for DBS and how it can help when medication no longer gives your PD symptoms consistent relief.

Explore Parkinson's resources

DBS for essential tremor

Discover how DBS can be a life-changing option for those whose tremors have become resistant to medication and interfere with daily life.

Explore essential tremor resources

REAL SUCCESS STORIES

Ryan’s DBS story

“Seeing my hand hold steady after the device was turned on was unbelievable. It made me feel like the ‘$6 million man.’ I hadn’t been able to eat soup in 15 years, and now I have that function back.”


The patient quotes in this material describe real personal experiences. Individual results may vary. Consult with your physician to determine if you are a candidate for this procedure and what you may gain from the therapy.

More PD successes
More ET successes
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Create connections that matter

From local in-person gatherings to expert-led webinars, connect with those who know DBS and those who live with it to share experiences, gain knowledge, and find support.

Explore events

Have questions about DBS?

Get answers to common questions about DBS, from the procedure to recovery and beyond.

Explore our DBS FAQs

Take your next step toward DBS therapy

DBS therapy, your way

See if DBS therapy may be right for you

Answer a few quick questions about your PD or ET symptoms. It should take no more than 5 minutes, and you’ll get information on whether our personalized therapy might be right for you.

Get started

Has a physician diagnosed you or a loved one with Parkinson’s disease (PD) or essential tremor (ET)?

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Find Care

Locate a DBS specialist near you

Find a movement disorder specialist who offers Boston Scientific’s personalized DBS therapy near you.

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questions?

Call Patient Education

Our Patient Education Specialists can give guidance and answer any questions you have during your search for the right DBS System.

Call us at (833) 327-1473

Monday through Friday

7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PT

References  

  1. Aldred JL, et al. Sustained Therapeutic Benefits Using Image-Guided Programming at Activation of Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease. Movement Disorders Clinical Practice. 2025. PMID: 40952750.
  2. Deuschl G, et al., Prospective, Multicenter, International Registry of Deep Brain Stimulation for Essential Tremor.  Poster at Movement Disorders Society (MDS) 2023 Poster.
  3. Lange F, Et al. Reduced Programming Time and Strong Symptom Control Even in Chronic Course Through Imaging-Based DBS Programming. Front Neurol. 2021 Nov 8;12:785529. N=10.
  4. Torres V et al. Image-guided programming deep brain stimulation improves clinical outcomes in patients with Parkinson’s disease. npj Parkinsons Dis. 10, 29 (2024). 

Indications for Use:
The Boston Scientific Vercise™ PC, Vercise Gevia™, Vercise Genus™ Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Systems are indicated for use in the following:

• Bilateral stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) as an adjunctive therapy in reducing some of the symptoms of moderate to advanced levodopa-responsive Parkinson’s disease (PD) that are not adequately controlled with medication.

• Bilateral stimulation of the internal globus pallidus (GPi) as an adjunctive therapy in reducing some of the symptoms of advanced levodopa-responsive Parkinson’s disease (PD) that are not adequately controlled with medication.

• Unilateral thalamic stimulation of the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) is indicated for the suppression of tremor in the upper extremity. The system is intended for use in patients who are diagnosed with essential tremor or parkinsonian tremor not adequately controlled by medications and where the tremor constitutes a significant functional disability.

• Bilateral stimulation of the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) of the thalamus for the suppression of disabling upper extremity tremor in adult essential tremor patients whose tremor is not adequately controlled by medications and where the tremor constitutes a significant functional disability.

Intended Use:

The Boston Scientific Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Systems are intended to treat movement disorders by stimulating a specific brain target.

The Vercise™ DBS Controller is intended to communicate with and control the compatible Boston Scientific Stimulator.

The Charger is a medical device that is intended to charge the battery of the compatible Boston Scientific rechargeable Stimulator.

Contraindications: The Boston Scientific Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Systems are not recommended for patients who will be exposed to the following procedures: Diathermy as either a treatment for a medical condition or as part of a surgical procedure, Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). The safety of these therapies in patients implanted with the Boston Scientific DBS System has not been established. Patients implanted with Boston Scientific DBS Systems without ImageReady™ MRI Technology should not be exposed to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Patients implanted with the Vercise Gevia or Vercise Genus or Vercise Genus Mixed System with M8 Adapter or Vercise DBS Lead-Only System (before Stimulator is implanted) with ImageReady MRI Technology are Full Body MR Conditional only when exposed to the MRI environment under the specific conditions defined in ImageReady MRI Guidelines for Boston Scientific DBS Systems. The external/non-implantable components of the Vercise Genus DBS System (Charging System, Remote Control, mobile device with Vercise DBS Controller, and accessories) are MR Unsafe. Do not take them into any MRI environment.
Boston Scientific DBS Systems are not recommended for patients who are unable to operate the system or are poor surgical candidates or who experience unsuccessful test stimulation.

Warnings: With all medical procedures, there are risks associated with the procedure and the use of the device. Unauthorized modification to the medical devices is prohibited. You should not be exposed to high stimulation levels. High level of stimulation may damage brain tissue. Patients implanted with a Boston Scientific DBS System may be at risk for intracranial hemorrhages (bleeding in the brain) during DBS lead placement. Strong electromagnetic fields, such as power generators, security screeners or theft detection systems, can potentially turn the stimulator off, or cause unpredictable changes in stimulation. The system should not be charged while sleeping. If you notice new onset or worsening depression, changes in mood or behavior or impulse control, or have thoughts of suicide contact your physician or emergency services immediately. You should use caution when doing activities that require coordination, even if you were able to do them before receiving therapy (for example, swimming). Patients should exercise reasonable caution when bathing. Chemical burns may result if the Stimulator housing is ruptured or pierced. The Boston Scientific DBS Systems may interfere with the operation of implanted stimulation devices, such as cardiac pacemakers, implanted cardioverter defibrillators, or medication delivery pumps. Patients should operate motorized vehicles or potentially dangerous machinery with caution. It is unknown whether the DBS device may cause complications with pregnancy. Do not use the Vercise™ DBS Controller while the mobile device is charging. The effect of using the Vercise DBS Controller while charging the mobile device has not been evaluated.



Be sure to talk with your doctor so that you thoroughly understand all of the risks, precautions, and benefits associated with the use of the device and what indicates, and contraindicates, certain patients– as well as the risks and precautions for the procedure. For complete indications for use, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and side effects, see DBSandME.com or call 833-DBS-INFO or 833-327-4636.



CAUTION: U.S. Federal law  restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.

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