Dexmedetomidine (Dex), a new sedative agent that is not mediated by γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, provides a new option for patients who need sedation in clinical practice, and has been widely used in clinical anesthesia of different types of surgeries. This review analyzes the recent progresses in the application of Dex in deep brain stimulation (DBS), summarizes the pharmacological effects of Dex on the peripheral nervous system, respiratory system and circulatory system, and introduces its advantageous and recommended doses in DBS surgery. Currently, the application of Dex in DBS is still being explored. Dex does not intervene microelectrode recording and Dex-treated patients are easy to be awakened, so this agent has good prospect for application in DBS. In the future, conscious sedation with Dex as the main sedative agent may become the first choice for DBS surgery.