November 4, 2026- Medtronic plc and The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) announce a new educational initiative to help people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and their caregivers better understand deep brain stimulation (DBS), an established treatment option for managing certain symptoms of the disease.
Today, an estimated 6 million people worldwide live with PD, a number that is expected to double by 2040. While DBS has been used for nearly three decades to help manage some Parkinson’s symptoms, awareness and understanding of the therapy remain important barriers to consideration. Together, MJFF and Medtronic aim to help close that knowledge gap, empowering more patients and families to explore their treatment options and have informed conversations with their care teams.
Medtronic has supported DBS therapy for over 30 years and served more than 200,000 people with movement disorders and other conditions globally. In 2025, the company introduced the world’s first FDA-approved adaptive DBS system for Parkinson’s disease.
Through support from Medtronic, the Foundation will release educational materials to guide people considering DBS. Support from industry partners allows MJFF to maintain editorial oversight in the creation of high-quality resources, while directing donor-raised dollars toward critical research. A dedicated online hub, practical guide, interactive webinars and additional programming will provide accessible information about how DBS works, its potential benefits and risks, preparing for surgery, adjusting to life with a DBS device, and sharing the latest research advances. Resources are available today at michaeljfox.org/dbs, home of “The Live On with DBS Education Hub” powered by The Michael J. Fox Foundation.