AIIMS Trains Specialists To Expand DBS Access For Parkinson’s Patients

With Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) emerging as a trusted therapy for Parkinson’s patients who struggle with worsening symptoms, AIIMS Delhi organised a first-of-its-kind workshop in India in the national capital focused on advanced procedural and programming skills, correcting myths and strengthening nationwide capacity.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that steadily erodes the brain’s ability to control movement. Tremors, rigidity, and slowness may initially respond to medication, but as the disease advances, symptoms often resurface between doses or become resistant to standard drugs.

DBS is being considered as one of the most effective treatments for motor complications in carefully selected patients. “DBS is a well-established, highly effective therapy that significantly improves motor symptoms and quality of life,” said Dr. Elavarasi A., Movement Disorders Faculty, AIIMS Delhi. She noted that unlike medication adjustments that may provide temporary relief, DBS can offer sustained benefits when combined with continued care.

Dr. Animesh Das, also a Movement Disorders specialist at AIIMS New Delhi, echoed her views: “Deep Brain Stimulation has transformed Parkinson’s management. Building expertise in advanced imaging, surgery, and programming is essential to deliver optimal and equitable care for patients across India.”

Despite decades of clinical success, misconceptions persist. Some patients worry about having a device implanted in their brain, while others fall prey to suboptimal treatment at centres lacking adequate expertise.

“While DBS is available in India, its successful delivery requires advanced technical expertise for surgical implantation as well as sophisticated post-operative programming,” noted Dr. Elavarasi. The workshop showcased recent advances in neuro-imaging, planning, surgical techniques, and adaptive DBS systems. Image-guided programming and emerging closed-loop (“intelligent feedback”) systems are enabling more precise stimulation settings tailored to individual patient needs, she explains.

More than 200 registered delegates and faculty from across India received structured, hands-on training. Five international faculty members shared expertise through focused lectures, live demonstrations and case-based sessions designed to help clinicians master complex programming strategies. Dedicated modules for beginners helped develop foundational skills, expanding the pool of clinicians capable of offering DBS safely.

The initiative was led by Prof. Manjari Tripathi, Head of Neurology at AIIMS, along with Dr. Achal Srivastava and the Movement Disorders team. The workshop faculty included Dr. Elavarasi, Dr. Animesh Das, Dr. Roopa Rajan, Dr. Divya M.R., and Dr. Divyani—experts who have trained in Movement Disorders, Advanced Therapeutics and Neuromodulation in London, Canada.

Shailesh Gaikwad and Prof. Ajay Garg from the Department of Neuroradiology provide dedicated imaging support for DBS procedures. The Functional Neurosurgery team, led by Prof. Sarat Chandra, performs the surgical implantation of DBS devices, while the Neuroanesthesia team contributes critically to peri-operative care, ensuring patient safety and optimal surgical outcomes.

DBS candidacy must be evaluated carefully, she told The Health Outlook. A Movement Disorders neurologist assesses patients with motor fluctuations and medication-related complications. A multidisciplinary team—neurosurgeon, neurologist, psychologist and physiotherapist—jointly determines suitability to ensure the best outcomes.

One major deterrent remains perceived cost. Though DBS surgery in government hospitals like AIIMS is nearly free, the device itself costs around Rs 8–10 lakh, prompting many families to hesitate. “However, schemes such as PM-JAY, Rashtriya Aarogya Nidhi and various state programmes provide financial support, making access equitable for patients from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. These national schemes allow DBS treatment at government institutions like AIIMS,” affirms Dr. Elavarasi.

DBS involves carefully placing electrodes in targeted brain regions to deliver electrical pulses—much like a cardiac pacemaker. These pulses modulate abnormal brain activity, preventing tremors, involuntary movements or pain signals from spreading. Neurosurgeons emphasise that success depends not only on surgical precision but also on robust postoperative programming and monitoring.

Experts caution that DBS is a major neurosurgical procedure and should be performed only at centres equipped with a skilled neurosurgeon, neurologist and a trained healthcare team experienced in device-based neurological therapy. The hospital must also have adequate infrastructure such as intra-operative diagnostics, dedicated neurosurgical operation theatres and a neuro-ICU to ensure safe pre and post-operative care, said the neurosurgeons.