In a major step towards advancing care for Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, hosted India’s first dedicated Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) workshop exclusively focused on movement disorders. 

The two-day advanced training programme, held from December 19 to 20, 2025, aimed to strengthen national expertise in device-assisted therapies for patients who no longer respond optimally to conventional medical treatment.

Deep Brain Stimulation has emerged as a highly effective therapy for carefully selected patients with Parkinson’s disease, significantly improving motor symptoms and quality of life. 

However, experts emphasised that the success of DBS depends not only on surgical precision but also on advanced imaging, accurate implantation and sophisticated post-operative programming.

“Deep Brain Stimulation has transformed the management of Parkinson’s disease, and building expertise in advanced imaging, surgery and programming is essential to deliver optimal and equitable care for patients across India,” said Dr. Elavarasi A. and Dr. Animesh Das, faculty members in Movement Disorders at AIIMS New Delhi, who curated and organised the academic programme.

Endorsed by the International Movement Disorders Society, the workshop was the first of its kind in the country to be dedicated exclusively to DBS in movement disorders.

 It highlighted recent advances in the field, including image-guided programming techniques and emerging closed-loop DBS approaches, which allow more personalised, patient-specific therapy and improved clinical outcomes.

The programme provided structured training to more than 200 registered delegates and faculty members from across India. 

Five international experts participated as faculty, delivering focused lectures, leading hands-on sessions and engaging participants in detailed case-based discussions.

Special sessions were also designed for clinicians new to DBS, helping build foundational skills and confidence in the use of this advanced therapy.

The workshop was conducted under the leadership of Prof. Manjari Tripathi, Head of the Department of Neurology at AIIMS, with key contributions from Dr. Achal Srivastava and the institute’s Movement Disorders team.

The organising team included Dr. Elavarasi A. and Dr. Animesh Das, who have received advanced training in movement disorders, neuromodulation and device-assisted therapies in London and Canada, along with colleagues Dr. Roopa Rajan, Dr. Divya M.R. and Dr. Divyani.

Reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of DBS care, the workshop showcased close collaboration among several departments at AIIMS.

The Department of Neuroradiology, led by Prof. Shailesh Gaikwad and Prof. Ajay Garg, provides specialised imaging support crucial for DBS procedures

Surgical implantation of DBS devices is performed by the Functional Neurosurgery team under Prof. Sarat Chandra, while the Neuroanesthesia team plays a critical role in peri-operative care, ensuring patient safety and optimal surgical outcomes.

The initiative underscored AIIMS New Delhi’s commitment to advancing cutting-edge neurological care, promoting multidisciplinary collaboration and building national capacity in complex therapies.

Experts noted that such training programmes are essential to expanding access to high-quality DBS services across the country, ultimately improving outcomes for patients living with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders.