Stimulating Brains

Author: Andreas Horn

Andreas Horn interviews experts in the field of deep brain stimulation, noninvasive neuromodulation, functional brain imaging and neuroanatomy. Join us on our quest to interact with the human brain and thank you for your interest in science! Andreas Horn, M.D., Ph.D., directs the institute for network stimulation and is a professor for computational neurology at University Cologne.
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Language: en

Genres: Natural Sciences, Science

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#74: Ludvic Zrinzo – DBS vs. Lesioning – and how to know you’re right
Sunday, 25 January, 2026

In this episode of Stimulating Brains, we sit down with Dr. Ludwig Zrinzo, Professor of Functional Neurosurgery at University College London and Head of the Functional Neurosurgery Unit at Queen Square.Drawing on decades of experience at the forefront of deep brain stimulation, Dr. Zrinzo reflects on the evolution of DBS from awake procedures to image-guided surgery under general anesthesia, emphasizing why precision, verification, and closing the loop are essential for improving patient outcomes.We discuss how his experience shaped a rigorous, data-driven approach to targeting, why imaging quality remains a very critical factor in DBS accuracy, and how systematic post-operative verification transformed clinical practice. Beyond technique, Dr. Zrinzo shares deeply insightful perspectives on patient selection, mentorship, leadership, and the responsibility of building sustainable teams in academic neurosurgery.The conversation also ventures into neuropsychiatric DBS, including OCD, where we examine how stimulation in different targets may have differential effects on behavior, illuminating the brain’s underlying circuitry. Finally, we look into the future of adaptive and closed-loop stimulation, emerging electrode technologies, and the future balance between innovation, scalability, and patient-centered care.Tune in for a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation on precision, evidence, and humanity in brain stimulation — and on how functional neurosurgery continues to teach us how the brain truly works.