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Building your Parkinson’s disease care team

Building the right care team is a key part of managing Parkinson’s disease (PD) — from your initial diagnosis through advanced treatment options like Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). The right specialists can help you make informed decisions and stay ahead of your symptoms.

Find the right expertise for your Parkinson’s journey

Managing Parkinson’s disease takes a team. Each specialist brings the advanced training and experience needed to help you understand your complex symptoms, adjust your treatments, and plan for what’s next.

Here’s who you might work with — and how they support your care.

The movement disorder specialist (MDS)

An MDS is a neurologist with advanced training in Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders. Because they focus exclusively on these conditions, they are often the key specialist guiding your long-term care — ensuring you have an expert partner to help you navigate every change.

An MDS can:

  • Optimize your medications as your symptoms change
  • Help you evaluate advanced therapies like DBS
  • Identify the right timing for treatment — including the window of opportunity¹
Find a DBS specialist
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Your broader Parkinson’s care team

While your movement disorder specialist (MDS) provides specialized Parkinson's care, your broader healthcare team works together to support your overall health and treatment journey.

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Primary care physician (PCP)

Your PCP manages your overall health and acts as the vital link between your general wellness and your specialist care. They monitor long-term health trends and are often the first to help you identify new or changing symptoms.

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General neurologist

General neurologists often diagnose and manage Parkinson's disease. As your needs change, they may refer you to a movement disorder specialist (MDS) to help guide specialized care and evaluate advanced treatment options.1

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Neurosurgeon

If you pursue DBS therapy, a neurosurgeon performs the procedure. These specialists have advanced training in precision surgical techniques — working closely with your MDS to plan and place the DBS System based on your specific symptoms and unique brain anatomy.

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Allied care

Physical, occupational, and speech therapists — as well as nutritionists — bring specialized expertise to your treatment plan. These providers play a key role in helping you manage day-to-day Parkinson’s symptoms so you can stay active, independent, and functioning at your best.

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The role of care partners

Family members, friends, and caregivers are an essential part of your care team — providing daily support, helping track changes in symptoms, and advocating for your needs.

Accepting this support and planning together can make managing Parkinson’s more manageable both at home and in the clinic.

For caregivers
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Prepare for your next appointment

Keeping track of questions for different specialists can be a challenge. Use our Doctor Discussion Guide to stay organized, take notes, and become your own best advocate during your visits.

Download the guide

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. Boston Scientific Patient Information Brochure. Navigating Parkinson's: Your Complete Guide to Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS).

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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