Education & Training

Prof. Akakın graduated from Marmara University Faculty of Medicine (English-medium programme) and completed his neurosurgery residency at the same institution. He earned a PhD in microsurgical neuroanatomy from Marmara University's Institute of Health Sciences.

In 2009–2010, he worked as a Research Scientist at the University of Florida's Department of Neurosurgery under the mentorship of Prof. Albert L. Rhoton Jr., one of the most influential neuroanatomists of the modern era. His research focused on fibre dissection techniques and endoscopic endonasal skull base approaches.

He subsequently completed advanced training in deep brain stimulation surgery at the University of Florida's Movement Disorders Centre and at specialist centres in Cologne and Düsseldorf, Germany.

Clinical Focus Areas

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), Brain Pacemaker Surgery

Prof. Akakın has performed more than 1700 DBS procedures, placing him among the most experienced functional neurosurgeons in Turkey. He treats Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and dystonia using microelectrode recording (MER) techniques for precise lead placement. In 2014, he organised Turkey's first cadaveric DBS training course at Bahçeşehir University and has since trained neurosurgeons from Croatia, Saudi Arabia, Libya, the UAE, Morocco, and Iran.

Brain Tumour Surgery

He performs microsurgical resection of both benign and malignant brain tumours using neuronavigation, intraoperative monitoring, and awake craniotomy when tumour location demands functional preservation. His training under Prof. Rhoton provides a deep anatomical foundation for complex skull base and eloquent-area tumour cases.

Cerebrovascular Surgery, Brain Aneurysms & AVMs

Prof. Akakın treats brain aneurysms through microsurgical clipping and manages arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) through surgical, endovascular, and radiosurgical approaches. His doctoral thesis investigated the effects of Gamma Knife and embolisation on angiogenesis in AVMs.

Movement Disorder Surgery

Beyond DBS, his functional neurosurgery practice covers the full spectrum of surgically treatable movement disorders, including medication-resistant tremor, cervical and generalised dystonia, and select cases of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) where neuromodulation is indicated.

Academic Profile

Metric	Detail
International publications	80+ peer-reviewed articles
Book chapters	15+
Conference presentations	60+ national and international
H-index	13
DBS operations	1700+
Students trained as neurosurgeons	49

With a robust academic footprint, his peer-reviewed research is widely cited on Google Scholar and ResearchGate, cementing his status as a pioneer in modern brain surgery. He is a founding member of the International Neuromodulation Society (INS) Turkey Chapter, Chair of the Neuroanatomy Working Group within the Turkish Neurosurgical Society, and a founding team member of the Turkish Brain Foundation.

Why Patients Choose Prof. Dr. Akakın

International patients seek Prof. Akakın for several reasons: his exceptionally high DBS case volume (1700+ procedures) provides statistical confidence in outcomes; his fellowship training under Prof. Rhoton at the University of Florida places him within an elite international network of neurosurgeons; and his dual expertise in functional and oncological neurosurgery means patients with complex, overlapping conditions receive care from a single specialist rather than being referred between surgeons.

He accepts patients through Turkey's Social Security Institution (SGK), making DBS surgery accessible at significantly lower out-of-pocket costs than equivalent procedures in Western Europe or the United States.

Treatments by Prof. Dr. Akakın on Vellum Select

• Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) in Turkey
• Brain Tumour Surgery in Turkey
• Parkinson's Treatment in Turkey
• Brain Aneurysm Treatment in Turkey
• Movement Disorder Surgery in Turkey
• Pituitary Tumour Treatment in Turkey

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Prof. Dr. Akakın's specialisation? Prof. Dr. Akın Akakın is a professor of neurosurgery specialising in deep brain stimulation (DBS), brain tumour surgery, and cerebrovascular surgery. He holds academic positions at Üsküdar University and operates at Medical Park Göztepe and Liv Hospital Bahçeşehir in Istanbul.

How many DBS surgeries has Prof. Dr. Akakın performed? He has performed over 1700 deep brain stimulation procedures, making him one of the highest-volume DBS surgeons in Turkey. He also organised the country's first DBS cadaveric training course in 2014.

Where did Prof. Dr. Akakın train? He graduated from Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, completed his neurosurgery residency there, and trained as a Research Scientist at the University of Florida under Prof. Albert L. Rhoton Jr. He received further DBS-specific training in the United States and Germany.

Does Prof. Dr. Akakın treat international patients? Yes. He regularly treats patients from Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. His procedures are performed at JCI-accredited hospitals in Istanbul, and DBS surgery is covered under Turkey's SGK system, offering significant cost advantages.

What conditions does DBS treat? Deep brain stimulation is primarily indicated for Parkinson's disease (when medication response diminishes), essential tremor, and dystonia. In select cases, it is also used for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Prof. Akakın evaluates each patient individually to determine candidacy.

Can Prof. Dr. Akakın treat brain tumours as well? Yes. His practice covers both functional neurosurgery (DBS, movement disorders) and neuro-oncology (brain tumour resection). He uses neuronavigation, awake craniotomy, and microsurgical techniques for tumour removal.