[I meccanismi d'azione della stimolazione cerebrale profonda = Deep brain stimulation: Mechanisms of action

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) represents the neurosurgical therapy of choice for complicated Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders. Despite the surprising clinical efficacy of DBS, its mechanisms of action remain unclear. This paper offers a synthesis of the different interpretations and experimental evidences available in the literature: from the dispute between the inhibitory interpretation and the excitatory interpretation, to the most recent contributions in the field of experimental neurophysiology. Even though the search for the mechanisms of action of DBS is far form being concluded, important steps have been taken toward a unifying interpretation integrating the cellular level with the network level. This knowledge is critical for optimizing the current DBS therapy and for extending the indication of DBS to other neurological and psychiatric diseases.