Taif–Cottbus DBS Education Partnership

Non‑promotional, device‑agnostic medical education on Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson’s disease.

DBS for Parkinson’s Disease · Symposium

📅 13 February 2026📍 Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia👥 In‑person · 60–80 participants

A compact one‑day program for referring clinicians: timing of referral, candidate selection, peri‑operative pathways, and post‑operative management.

Contact / RSVP: soon

At a glance

  • Independent education · no promotional content
  • Device‑agnostic, evidence‑based sessions
  • Faculty travel/lodging supported by an educational grant

Languages

English (primary). Materials can be provided in Arabic and German on request.

Educational Need

Referrers need practical guidance on referral timing, standardized selection criteria (levodopa response, fluctuations/dyskinesias, cognitive/psychiatric screening), realistic outcome counseling, and coordinated post‑operative programming.

Learning Objectives

  • Identify PD candidates for DBS using evidence‑based criteria.
  • Outline pre‑operative work‑up (neuropsychology, imaging).
  • Compare targeting strategies (STN vs GPi) and OR workflow.
  • Counsel on outcomes, risks, long‑term management.
  • Implement a local referral and follow‑up pathway.

Faculty (invited)

  • Prof. F. Alesch, MD – Functional Neurosurgery
  • Prof. Ehab Shiban, MHBA, M.Sc. – Chairman, Dept. of Neurosurgery, MUL‑CT (Cottbus)
  • Dr. Aldabek, MD – Dept. of Neurosurgery, MUL‑CT (Cottbus)
  • Dr. Maschour, MD – Dept. of Neurosurgery, Taif (Chair/Host)

Draft Agenda (09:00–16:00)

09:00–09:15 Welcome, COI, housekeeping · Maschour
09:15–09:45 When to Refer: fluctuations, dyskinesias, levodopa responsiveness · Alesch
09:45–10:15 Selection & Red Flags: cognition, mood, axial issues · Aldabek
10:15–10:45 Coffee Break
10:45–11:15 Imaging & Targeting (STN vs GPi; uni/bilateral) · Shiban
11:15–12:00 Surgical Procedure · Alesch
12:00–13:00 Lunch
13:00–13:45 Post‑op Programming: basics & troubleshooting · TBA
13:45–14:30 Complications & Risk Reduction; case pearls · Shiban
14:30–15:00 Coffee Break
15:00–15:30 Building a regional referral network & DBS board · All
15:30–16:00 Wrap‑up

Final agenda subject to change; the scientific program remains independent and device‑agnostic.

Independence & Compliance

  • Scientific independence; non‑promotional, balanced content.
  • No influence from sponsors on content, speakers, or participants.
  • COI disclosure on opening slides; device‑agnostic discussion.
  • Support limited to faculty travel & lodging; no entertainment expenses.

Organizers

Taif–Cottbus DBS Education Partnership
Department of Neurosurgery, MUL‑CT (Cottbus) · Department of Neurosurgery, Taif

Primary contact: soon

Downloads (soon)

  • PDF agenda
  • Faculty COI form
  • CME certificate (if applicable)