Things to Know RIGHT NOW | Focused Ultrasound vs. Deep Brain Stimulation ft. Ausaf A Bari, MD, PhD

Deep Brain Stimulation vs. Focused Ultrasound

This episode of Things to Know RIGHT NOW explores two popular treatments for Parkinson's patients: Deep Brain Stimulation and Focused Ultrasound. PRO Executive Director  Eileen Lynch sits down with UCLA Health Associate Professor Ausaf A. Bari, MD, Ph.D. to break down both therapies, discuss who is eligible for each, and answer your questions. 

About Ausaf A. Bari, MD, Ph.D.

Dr. Bari specializes in the neurosurgical repair and restoration of brain and nerve function. Following his neurosurgery residency training at UCLA, Dr. Bari was awarded the prestigious William P. Van Wagenen Fellowship to train at the world-renowned functional neurosurgery program at the University of Toronto. He has extensive clinical and research experience in the use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the treatment of both movement and psychiatric disorders. Dr. Bari's clinical practice includes DBS surgery for Parkinson's disease, tremor, dystonia, depression and OCD. In addition, his clinical practice includes neurosurgery for brain tumors, pain, and peripheral nerve disorders.

Dr. Bari's research focuses on an interdisciplinary approach to studying the neurobiology underlying movement and psychiatric disorders and expanding the frontiers of neurosurgery to treat those disorders. As a part of his fellowship training, Dr. Bari studied the relationship between the motor and reward systems of the brain and the use of deep brain stimulation to modify and enhance them. A native of California, Dr. Bari completed his neurosurgery residency training at UCLA after receiving his MD and PhD degrees from Boston University. He completed his undergraduate training at UC Berkeley in the field of neurobiology.

About UCLA Health's Neuromodulation Department

Our specialists offer a variety of neuromodulation treatments, using many advanced techniques that aren’t available elsewhere in the country. Procedures include surgery to target specific nerves or implantable devices to treat pain.

Neuromodulation is a neurosurgical specialty that treats movement disorders, psychiatric disorders and chronic pain. We may perform surgery to alter a specific nerve or implant spinal cord devices that block pain signals or stimulate the brain or nerves to restore function. At UCLA Health, the specialists in the Neuromodulation Program offer comprehensive treatment for movement disorders, chronic pain, and psychiatric conditions.

Questions?    www.dbs.ucla.edu    310-825-5111

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