Thalamic-Burst-DBS for Neuropathic Pain

Inclusion Criteria: * Signed informed consent * Age 18-75 years * Patients suffering from chronic (duration \> 12 months) unilateral neuropathic pain caused by an ischemic or haemorrhagic cerebral stroke or * Patients suffering from chronic (duration \> 12 months) unilateral neuropathic facial pain due to one of the following causes: 1. post-herpes-zoster-neuralgia, 2. posttraumatic, neuropathic facial pain, 3. atypical trigeminal neuralgia after surgical intervention * Severe baseline pain intensity (VAS score \> 6/10) considered as resistant to medication specific to neuropathic pain at sufficient doses and durations (including at least antiepileptics and antidepressants) Exclusion Criteria: * Significant cognitive impairment (total MOCA score \< 1.5 standard deviations from age- and education adapted mean values), * DSMIV axis I or II psychiatric disorder * Relevant psychosocial risk factors (any of): history of other chronic pain syndrome, pain catastrophizing, substance abuse, secondary gain * Contra-indication to surgery, anesthesia, or MRI * Known or suspected non-compliance or inability to operate the DBS system * Woman with childbearing potential * Inability to follow the procedures of the study, e.g. due to language problems, psychological disorders, dementia. etc. of the subject * Participation in another interventional clinical trial within 30 days prior to this trial or during the trial * Previous enrollment into the current trial * Enrolment of the investigator's family members, employees, and other dependent persons * Patients who are planned to undergo diathermy, electroshock therapy or transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) * Patients with implanted electric devices (i.e. cardiac defibrillator, pacemaker) * Patients who are at poor surgical risk (i.e. patients with multiple severe illnesses or active general infections)