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We sought to define the influence of ageing in clinical, cognitive, and quality-of-life outcomes after subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) in Parkinson's disease (PD). We performed motor assessment (UPDRS), mood tests, cognitive, and quality of life evaluation (PDQ-39) on PD patients before surgery, and 12 and 24 months after, and we recorded adverse events. The variations of these parameters after surgery were correlated with age using regression statistical tests. Cerebral bleeding risk was evaluated by a nonparametric test. We enrolled 45 patients (mean age 60 +/- 9 years, range 40-73). No significant correlation was found between age and motor scores and PDQ-39 improvements at 12 months. At 24 months, there was a significant negative correlation between age and the improvement of three dimensions of PDQ 39 (mobility, activities of daily life, and cognition). Cognitive impairment showed no correlation, but apathy and depression were positively correlated with age. Significant statistical difference was observed between cerebral bleeding and age. STN-DBS is an effective treatment for elderly patients with advanced PD. A longer follow-up duration and a larger population seem necessary to better assess the quality of life perception in elderly patients and to determinate the real risk of hemorrage.

This study of the arterial blood of the spinal cord indicates that, of the 62 radicular branches (rami radiculares), at the most seven or eight truly participate in the vascularization of the spinal cord. The authors have observed that the situation and distribution of these branches enable the distinction of three large arterial areas: cervicothoracic, midthoracic, and thoracolumbar. The fixed nature of the intramedullary arterial distribution contrasts with the variability of the afferent arterial supplies. No demarcation permits separation of the vascularization of the spinal cord into anterior and posterior parts. The anastomotic systems situated on the arterial pathways are potentially valuable, but their functioning is problematical. The anterior spinal artery is not continuous, for in the midthoracic region there exists a critical narrow zone. The perimedullary anastomotic system appears insufficient while intramedullary anastomoses are without functional value.

Baclofen, the most effective drug for treating spasticity, is a specific agonist of gamma-aminobutyric acid-B receptors, and is very abundant in the superficial layers of the spinal cord. Given orally, baclofen does not easily penetrate the blood-brain barrier, and is distributed equally to the brain and spinal cord. Direct intrathecal administration was given in order to change the distribution of the drug by preferentially perfusing the spinal cord. Eighteen patients presenting a severe spastic syndrome were treated with chronic intrathecal infusion of baclofen in the lumbar cerebrospinal fluid. After clinical preselection, 38 patients were implanted with a lumbar access port allowing long-term trials in order to determine the efficacy of baclofen therapy and the effective 12-hour dose. The 18 patients selected for chronic administration were implanted with a programmable pump. The pathology in these cases was: multiple sclerosis (6 cases), posttrauma spastic syndrome (eight cases), and (one case each) cerebral palsy, ischemic cerebral lesion, spinal ischemia, and transverse myelitis. The mean follow-up period was 18 months (range 4 to 43 months). The clinical results were evaluated according to muscular hypertony on Ashworth's scale (changed for occurrence of painful spasms) and functional improvement. Results were better for spastic syndrome secondary to traumatic medullary lesion than for demyelinating disease. Hypertonia was improved in all cases as confirmed by the registration of the Hoffman (H) reflex. Painful muscular spasms disappeared in 14 of the 16 affected patients. Significant functional improvement was noted in nine patients and was considerable in three. The risk of side effects secondary to overdose (such as excessive hypotonia or central depression) and the absence of a specific baclofen antagonist stresses the necessity for accurate determination of the efficient dose. After an initial titration period and adjustment of the therapeutic dose, the individual doses were from 21 to 500 micrograms/24 hrs (mean 160 micrograms/24 hrs). This new conservative method is very effective, perfectly reversible, and safe when administered in conditions favorable to its use.

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