Effect of Deep Brain Stimulation on Depression and Quality of Life in Parkinson's Patients

Deep brain stimulation is an approved therapy for Parkinson's patients, and this procedure is actively performed at Vanderbilt University Hospital. Questions have been raised concerning the effect of deep brain stimulation on the depression commonly seen in Parkinson's patients. Through this study, we plan to evaluate and compare the incidence and severity of depression in Parkinson's patients with deep brain stimulation to those who did not complete the surgery. Primary literature has indicated a general increase in quality of life of those patients receiving DBS, but no studies have compared these two specific patient populations.