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Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) in Orange County, CA

Deep brain stimulation is a surgical treatment for movement disorders — Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, dystonia, and epilepsy. It works by placing thin electrodes into a specific target deep in the brain and connecting them to a small pulse generator implanted under the skin near the collarbone. The device delivers continuous electrical impulses that regulate the abnormal brain circuits causing tremor, stiffness, or slowness.
DBS doesn’t cure the underlying disease. What it does is give patients back years of functional independence that medication alone can no longer provide. For the right patient, the improvement can be dramatic — steadier hands, smoother movement, the ability to button a shirt or hold a coffee cup again.

Table Of Contents

How I approach DBS differently
Who is a Candidate for DBS Surgery?
Conditions I treat with DBS
What to Expect from the Procedure
Risks
Frequently Asked Questions

How I approach DBS differently

I’ve performed hundreds of DBS implants, and over the years my technique has evolved toward what I think gives patients the best outcomes with the least burden.

Single-stage, asleep DBS

Traditionally, DBS is done in two stages — one surgery to place the leads while the patient is awake, a second surgery to implant the generator. I was the first surgeon in Orange County to offer single-stage asleep DBS, where the entire procedure is completed under general anesthesia in one session. Advanced intraoperative imaging allows me to verify lead placement with sub-millimeter accuracy without the patient needing to be awake. This means no anxiety about being conscious during brain surgery, one recovery instead of two, and outcomes that match or exceed the traditional approach.

Directional leads

I routinely use directional DBS leads, which can steer electrical current toward the therapeutic target and away from adjacent structures that cause side effects. Think of it as the difference between a floodlight and a spotlight. This precision means better symptom control with fewer side effects — and it matters more as the field moves toward treating more complex targets.

Device selection

I’m trained on and regularly implant devices from all three major manufacturers: Abbott, Boston Scientific, and Medtronic. Each has different strengths. Rather than defaulting to one brand, I match the device to the patient’s anatomy, condition, and lifestyle. During your consultation, I’ll explain why one device might suit you better than another.

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Who is a Candidate for DBS Surgery?

DBS works best for patients whose symptoms responded well to medication at some point but are no longer adequately controlled — or patients who can’t tolerate their medication’s side effects. The ideal candidate has a clear diagnosis, reasonable overall health, and realistic expectations about what stimulation can and can’t do.

Not everyone is a candidate. I work closely with movement disorder neurologists who help with the evaluation, including neuropsychological testing. If DBS isn’t right for you, I’ll tell you — and I’ll explain why.

Conditions I treat with DBS

Parkinson’s disease — reduces tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia; can significantly decrease medication requirements and “off” time
Essential tremor — targets the VIM nucleus of the thalamus to control hand and arm tremor that interferes with daily activities
Dystonia — targets the globus pallidus to reduce involuntary muscle contractions
Epilepsy — targets the anterior nucleus of the thalamus for patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy (I was the first in Orange County to offer this)

Relaxed patients smiling on a couch, representing improved mobility and quality of life after deep brain stimulation treatment — Deep brain stimulation supports long-term symptom control, improving mobility and independence in daily life.

What to Expect from the Procedure

A DBS consultation starts with a detailed history and neurological exam. I’ll review your imaging and, if needed, order specialized MRI sequences for surgical planning. If you’re a candidate, I’ll walk you through the device options, the surgical approach, and what recovery looks like.

The surgery itself takes approximately 3–4 hours. Most patients stay one night in the hospital. Programming begins a few weeks after surgery, when your neurologist fine-tunes the stimulation settings. It typically takes a few months to optimize. This is a process, not a light switch.

The pulse generator battery lasts 3–5 years for non-rechargeable units, or 15+ years for rechargeable models. Replacement is a minor outpatient procedure.

Testimonials

In September 2018, my ENT doctor sent me to see Dr. Taghva; as a result of the MRI taken after my ears were tested for possible hearing loss. It turned out that I had a brain tumor the size of a golf ball that needed to be removed; which most likely was the cause of some hearing loss. Both doctors thought it was benign, but due to its size I would need brain surgery to remove it. Needless to say, I was stunned and not really receptive to the idea. I never experienced headaches and was indeed in a bit of a shock. However, Dr. Taghva was very calm and patient with me and honest about the need…

5 stars
Jeannette P.

Risks

DBS is one of the most well-studied surgical procedures in neurosurgery, but it carries real risks: bleeding, infection, lead misplacement, stimulation-related side effects (speech changes, tingling, balance issues), and hardware complications. I’ll review these with you in detail during your consultation. The serious complication rate is low, but it isn’t zero, and any surgeon who glosses over that isn’t being straight with you.

Dr. Alexander Taghva, MD, FAANS — Dr. Alexander Taghva – Board-Certified Neurosurgeon

Why Choose Dr. Alexander Taghva

Dr. Alexander Taghva is a leading board-certified neurosurgeon, specializing in brain surgery, endoscopic spine surgery, as well as spine disorders. Also, he is the only spine surgeon in Orange County and southern California who offers endoscopic laminotomy surgery. Dr. Taghva:

Graduated from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and completed his residency at the University of California
Completed a prestigious fellowship at The Ohio State University in Neuromodulation and Functional Neurosurgery
Specializes in minimally invasive and endoscopic surgery, spinal stenosis, artificial disc replacement, spinal disorders, spinal surgery revision, and other spinal conditions.
Specializes in brain surgery to treat trigeminal neuralgia, brain tumors, pituitary tumors, and Parkinson’s disease.
A highly-respected neurosurgeon with many years of experience, including treating chronic pain via stimulation of the spinal cord and brain
Actively involved in medical research and the lead investigator for clinical trials on spinal cord stimulation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the success rate of DBS for Parkinson’s disease?

Most studies report significant improvement in motor symptoms for 5–10 years or longer. DBS typically reduces tremor by 70–80% and can decrease “off” time by 50% or more. It doesn’t slow disease progression, but it can meaningfully extend the years of good motor function.

Is DBS surgery painful?

With the asleep approach I use, patients are under general anesthesia throughout. There is some scalp soreness and neck stiffness for a few days after surgery, managed with standard pain medication.

How long does DBS last?

The leads and electrodes can last indefinitely. The pulse generator battery needs replacement every 3–5 years (non-rechargeable) or 15+ years (rechargeable). Battery replacement is a 30-minute outpatient procedure under local anesthesia.

What’s the difference between DBS and focused ultrasound?

Focused ultrasound creates a permanent lesion in the brain. It destroys a small area of tissue to interrupt tremor circuits. DBS is adjustable and reversible. I generally prefer DBS because it can be fine-tuned over time as symptoms evolve, and it preserves the option to treat both sides. I’ve written about this comparison in detail. You can read it on my blog.

Can DBS be done on both sides?

Yes. Many patients with Parkinson’s disease benefit from bilateral DBS. With the single-stage asleep approach, both sides can be done in one session.

What DBS devices are available?

I implant devices from Medtronic (Percept), Abbott (Infinity), and Boston Scientific (Vercise). While all the systems work well, each has distinct advantages and disadvantages. I’ll recommend the best fit during your consultation.