Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus in Parkinson's disease: long-term follow-up

Neurol Sci. 2002 Sep:23 Suppl 2:S111-2. doi: 10.1007/s100720200094.

Abstract

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) has been shown to be an effective therapy for the treatment of advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). Forty-seven patients were bilaterally implanted for STN DBS and clinically evaluated according to the Core Assessment Program for Intracerebral Transplantations before surgery and 3, 12 and 24 months after surgery. Electrical stimulation led to a significant improvement in motor symptoms and in the quality of life, allowing a significant reduction of dopaminergic drugs with a consequent improvement of drug-induced dyskinesias. Statistical differences were observed between UPDRS parts II, III and IV values and daily levodopa dosage in the pre- and postoperative periods, while no differences were evident between the 3 postoperative conditions.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antiparkinson Agents / adverse effects
  • Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / therapy
  • Electric Stimulation Therapy*
  • Electrodes, Implanted
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Levodopa / adverse effects
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy
  • Parkinson Disease / physiopathology
  • Parkinson Disease / therapy*
  • Quality of Life
  • Subthalamic Nucleus* / physiopathology
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antiparkinson Agents
  • Levodopa