title: Pearls in patient selection for deep brain stimulation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has emerged as an important treatment for medication refractory movement and neuropsychiatric disorders. General neurologists and even general practitioners may be called upon to screen potential candidates for DBS. The patient selection process plays an important role in this procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this article, we discuss "pearls" for the clinician who may be called upon to identify appropriate candidates for DBS. Additionally, we will discuss the important points that should be considered when referring patients for surgical intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diagnosis, response to levodopa, cognitive status, psychiatric status, access to care, and patient expectations are all essential elements of the patient selection process for DBS. These areas must be adequately addressed prior to any surgical procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Florida Movement Disorders Center, McKnight Brain Institute, Gainesville, Florida, USA. ramon.rodriguez@neurology.ufl.edu
authors.forename: Ramon L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: Hubert H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.forename: Ihtsham
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Haq
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Okun
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D046690:Deep Brain Stimulation; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004421:Dystonia / Q000628:therapy; D020329:Essential Tremor / Q000628:therapy; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D010348:Patient Care Team; D018579:Patient Selection
chemical_list: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents