Feeling apathetic after your DBS adjustment? The Living with Parkinson's Tip of the Day

It is not uncommon that following an adjustment of a deep brain stimulation device we will receive a call in the office that the person with Parkinson’s is “apathetic.”

Apathy has been defined as a lack of interest, enthusiasm or concern.

It turns out that the apathy may not be caused by the DBS adjustment .

Multiple studies have shown that over-aggressive reductions in medications following DBS surgery can lead to apathy— and to other neuropsychiatric symptoms.

If your medications have been reduced below pre-surgery levels— and you are feeling apathetic after your DBS implant— this topic may be worth discussing with your healthcare team.

Michael OkunNovember 12, 2020

To read more books and articles by Michael S. Okun MD check him out on Twitter, @MichaelOkun, and also Amazon.com. The 14 books he has written including #Livingwith Parkinson’s #EndingPD #Parkinsonsecrets #LessonsFromTheBedside Dr. Okun also serves as the Medical Advisor for the Parkinson’s Foundation.

To read more on Indu Subramanian M.D. she does live interviews of experts in Parkinson’s for the PMD Alliance. She is one of the few doctors in the world trained in both Parkinson’s disease neurology and in integrative medicine.

To see more on our blog by artist Jonny Acheson MD check out his website at JonnyAchesonArt.com. Jonny is a physician in the U.K. who also has Parkinson’s disease.

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Feeling apathetic after your DBS adjustment? The Living with Parkinson's Tip of the Day

To read more on Indu Subramanian M.D. she does live interviews of experts in Parkinson’s for the PMD Alliance﻿. She is one of the few doctors in the world trained in both Parkinson’s disease neurology and in integrative medicine.

To see more on our blog by artist Jonny Acheson MD check out his website at JonnyAchesonArt.com. Jonny is a physician in the U.K. who also has Parkinson’s disease.

Dr. Michael S. Okun

To read more on Indu Subramanian M.D. she does live interviews of experts in Parkinson’s for the PMD Alliance. She is one of the few doctors in the world trained in both Parkinson’s disease neurology and in integrative medicine.