Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery Brings Hope to Tourette Syndrome

At Istanbul Atlas University Faculty of Medicine Hospital, a Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery was successfully performed on a patient whose quality of life was severely affected by Tourette syndrome — a tic disorder. Following the surgery carried out by Neurosurgeon Prof. Dr. Ersoy Kocabıçak and his team, 20-year-old Berke Bilgin showed a significant reduction in tics, while his social adaptation and quality of life improved markedly.

At Istanbul Atlas University Faculty of Medicine Hospital, 20-year-old Berke Bilgin successfully underwent Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery. Berke Bilgin, whose quality of life had been severely affected for approximately 10 years by Tourette syndrome — the medical name for this tic disorder — has largely recovered from his condition.

Berke Bilgin, who lives in Tire, İzmir, experienced difficulties and setbacks in his social life and education as the involuntary movements (tics) that began in childhood worsened over the years. After many years of unsuccessful drug treatments, the team at the Neuromodulation Centre of Atlas University Hospital evaluated Berke Bilgin and decided to proceed with DBS implantation.

A Significant Reduction in Tics Was Observed

The surgical procedure was successfully performed by Prof. Dr. Ersoy Kocabıçak and his team. Following the surgery, a significant reduction in tics was observed, while the patient's social adaptation and quality of life improved markedly.

**Prof. Dr. Ersoy Kocabıçak: "DBS Is an Effective Option for Tourette Syndrome"**

Prof. Dr. Kocabıçak stated: "Deep brain stimulation is not only an effective option for conditions such as Parkinson's disease or dystonia — it is also effective for treatment-resistant tic disorders (Tourette syndrome)." Prof. Dr. Kocabıçak noted that the Atlas University Neuromodulation Centre continues to provide deep brain stimulation surgery to international standards.

**Berke Bilgin: "My Quality of Life Has Improved — I Feel More at Ease in Social Settings"**

Berke Bilgin, noting that his quality of life has improved thanks to the DBS surgery, said: "After the surgery, my tics decreased a great deal — I am now much more comfortable when I am with my friends."

Berke's Quality of Life Has Improved

Berke Bilgin's mother Zerrin Bilgin and father Nail Bilgin stated that their son had experienced particular difficulties in his social life due to the vocal and movement tic disorder that emerged when he was 10 years old. Noting that Berke's complaints had largely disappeared following the successful DBS operation performed by Prof. Dr. Ersoy Kocabıçak and his team in May, the Bilgin couple said that Berke's quality of life had improved and that he is now able to socialise with his friends with great ease.