Bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation for Parkinson's disease
High frequency stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is known to ameliorate the signs and symptoms of advanced Parkinson's disease. Aim: We studied the effect of high frequency STN stimulation in 23 patients. Method: Twenty-three patients suffering from severe Parkinson's disease (S...
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Published in | Neurology India Vol. 51; no. 1; pp. 43 - 48 |
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Main Authors | , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
India
Medknow Publications on behalf of the Neurological Society of India
01.03.2003
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | High frequency stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is known to
ameliorate the signs and symptoms of advanced Parkinson's disease. Aim:
We studied the effect of high frequency STN stimulation in 23 patients.
Method: Twenty-three patients suffering from severe Parkinson's disease
(Stages III-V on Hoehn and Yahr scale) and, particularly bradykinesia,
rigidity, and levodopa-induced dyskinesias underwent bilateral
implantation of electrodes in the STN. Preoperative and postoperative
assessments of these patients at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months follow-up, in
"on" and "off" drug conditions, was carried out using Unified
Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, Hoehn and Yahr staging, England
activities of daily living score and video recordings. Results: After
one year of electrical stimulation of the STN, the patients' scores for
activities of daily living and motor examination scores (Unified
Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale parts II and III) off medication
improved by 62% and 61% respectively (p<0.0005). The subscores for
the akinesia, rigidity, tremor and gait also improved. (p<0.0005).
The average levodopa dose decreased from 813 mg to 359 mg. The
cognitive functions remained unchanged. Two patients developed
device-related complications and two patients experienced abnormal
weight gain. Conclusion: Bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation is
an effective treatment for advanced Parkinson's disease. It reduces the
severity of "off" phase symptoms, improves the axial symptoms and
reduces levodopa requirements. The reduction in the levodopa dose is
useful in controlling drug-induced dyskinesias. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-2 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-1 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 0028-3886 |