Cleveland Clinic Performs Nation’s First Deep Brain Stimulat
Cleveland Clinic has performed the first deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery for stroke recovery, as part of an ongoing clinical trial assessing the procedure’s potential to improve movement in patients recovering from stroke.

Stroke is the leading cause of long-term disabilities in the United States. Despite rehabilitative efforts, one-third of stroke patients maintain long-term motor deficits severe enough to be disabling.

A team led by Andre Machado, M.D., Ph.D., chairman of Cleveland Clinic’s Neurological Institute, performed the DBS surgery Dec. 19, 2016. During the 6 hour procedure, electrodes were implanted in a part of the patient’s brain called cerebellum, which has extensive connections with the cerebral cortex. Connected to a pace-maker device, DBS electrodes provide small electric pulses as a way to help people recover control of their movements....