DBS Think tank
The Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Think Tank is a globally recognized, annual gathering of approximately 100 leading experts in neuromodulation. Since its founding in 2012, the Think Tank has provided a collaborative platform for researchers, clinicians, and engineers from academia, industry, and clinical settings to explore the latest advancements, address emerging ethical concerns, and discuss innovations in DBS technology. By fostering open discussion and international collaboration, the DBS Think Tank seeks to advance the field of DBS and extend its benefits to patients worldwide.
About
The DBS Think Tank emphasizes cutting-edge research, ethical considerations, and novel applications of DBS to better understand and treat neurological and psychiatric disorders.
The agenda allows balanced time for presentations and discussions, ensuring a dynamic exchange of ideas without external promotional influence. Agenda topics are crowd-sourced from past attendees to prioritize timely and critical research areas.
The Think Tank accommodates global attendance, with international experts joining both in person and via Zoom. Past gatherings have included satellite meetings, such as the Asia-Oceania-Australia satellite session, which has furthered DBS knowledge sharing across regions.
Each year, the DBS Think Tank gathers experts to review advances in DBS applications, focusing on conditions such as Parkinson’s, depression, PTSD, and even Alzheimer’s. In 2020, the meeting highlighted advancements in optogenetics, ethical concerns in access to care, neuromodulatory treatments for depression, and adaptive neurostimulation techniques. Discussions at recent sessions revealed DBS’s growing impact, with estimates showing over 208,000 devices implanted globally.
dbs think tanks
dbs think tank rising star junior investigative challenge
Septemeber 2025
DBS Think Tank Rising Stars
DBS Think Tank Rising Stars Challenge is designed to recognize and support the exceptional work of early-career scientists in the field of DBS research.
DBS THINK TANKS Proceedings
august 9-11, 2023
DBS Think Tank XI
Proceedings from the 11th annual DBS think tank.
August 17-19, 2022
DBS Think Tank X
Proceedings from the 10th annual DBS think tank.
AUGUST 25–27, 2021
DBS Think Tank IX
Proceedings from the 9th annual DBS think tank.
Frontiers in Neuroscience
View all Published Proceedings
Previous proceedings of the DBS Think Tank are available on Frontiers in Neuroscience.
