ABSTRACT
The development of deep brain stimulation as a surgical technique has been a cul-
mination of several technologies that have evolved over a period of many centu-
ries. The union of these technologies has occurred through the persistence of
dozens of motivated researchers whose contributions have brought the field to
where it stands today. This required more than the development of the stimulating
electrode-there needed to be a surgical target and an ability to precisely localize
that target. Furthermore, advancement in this technique required progressive
improvement in our understanding of the functional anatomy of subcortical struc-
tures relative to their roles in motor functions. We review the historical develop-
ment of the surgical targets for movement disorders, the advances in stereotactic
localization, and the application of electrical stimulation to these targets.
