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Stanford Health Care

Types

Our Approach to Neuromodulation

Much like a cardiac pacemaker corrects an irregular heartbeat, neuromodulation sends mild electrical pulses to nerves to regulate the signals sent to the brain. Some neuromodulation treatments are noninvasive, and others involve minimally invasive procedures to implant devices. Neuromodulation therapy can treat a wide range of conditions including chronic pain, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, incontinence, and depression.

Our neuroscience specialists are recognized for their expertise in neuromodulation. We carefully evaluate you to decide on the right treatment option to relieve your symptoms. We carefully evaluate you to formulate recommended options for treatment, and we monitor your progress to recommend modifications to treatment as your needs change.

What We Offer You for Neuromodulation

  • Recognized leadership in neuromodulation for epilepsy, movement disorders, and other neurological conditions, as a nationally ranked center for neurology and neurosurgery.
  • Expert team of neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuropsychiatrists, and other providers experienced in successfully treating people with severely debilitating conditions.
  • Groundbreaking research with clinical trials for the latest neuromodulation therapies and a multispecialty collaboration with the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute at Stanford Medicine.
  • Life-enhancing solutions for people who need advanced treatment options after trying conventional treatments such as medications, physical therapy, or surgery.

What is Neuromodulation?

Types of Neuromodulation Treatments

Treatment options with neuromodulation vary depending on the condition and symptoms you’re experiencing. At Stanford Health Care, our highly trained neurology team has expertise in several neuromodulation therapies, including:

Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
Surgery for DBS involves two procedures. In the first procedure, our surgeons place electrodes in your brain. In the second, we implant the device near your collarbone and connect it to the electrodes. Our neurosurgeons place the electrodes in specific areas of the brain based on your symptoms and the condition.

We work with you to program the device to deliver electrical pulses at specific levels and intervals. It may take a few weeks or months to determine the best settings for you, and you can turn the device on and off using a remote control. DBS is a treatment option for a wide variety of conditions.

Responsive neurostimulation (RNS)
Stanford Health Care doctors have studied RNS technology since 2004, and we implanted the first RNS device in 2014.

Our neurosurgeons implant a device under your scalp, flush with the skull, in an opening just large enough for the device. We connect electrodes from the device to areas where seizures begin and program the device to recognize your brain’s unique electrical patterns.

The device continuously monitors your brain’s electrical activity for signs of unusual activity. It automatically delivers electrical pulses through the electrodes to stop or even prevent a seizure. RNS can help people with epilepsy who have seizures in one to two areas of the brain.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
TMS uses an electromagnetic device, held against your head, to deliver painless magnetic pulses to specific areas of the brain. Because it’s a noninvasive, pain-free treatment, TMS doesn’t require surgery or sedation. TMS can treat resistant depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and tobacco addiction.

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)
This therapy also involves a device connected to electrodes that sends electrical signals through nerves. With conventional VNS, surgeons implant a pulse generator under the skin on your chest and connect it to the left vagus nerve. This nerve runs from the brain through your neck into your torso. Your care team programs the VNS device to send electrical pulses at specific levels and intervals. You can also use a magnet to turn the device on and off.

Noninvasive VNS uses an external device to stimulate the vagus nerve, with no need for surgery to implant a device or electrodes. Your care team programs the device to deliver a set dose of electric stimulation. VNS can treat epileptic seizures, drug-resistant depression, and certain types of headaches, such as migraine and cluster.

Our Clinics

Comprehensive Epilepsy Program

Our level 4 epilepsy center provides the highest level of care as a national leader in innovative treatment options. Our neurology and epilepsy experts offer compassionate care to improve your quality of life.

Comprehensive Epilepsy Program
213 Quarry Road
 Palo Alto, CA 94304
Phone: 650-723-6469 Getting Here
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RELATED CLINICS

213 Quarry Road
 Palo Alto, CA 94304
Phone: 650-723-6469
Make An Appointment

To schedule an appointment, please call 650-723-6469.