Dorsal subthalamic deep brain stimulation improves pain in Parkinson's disease

Abstract

IntroductionInconsistent effects of subthalamic deep brain stimulation (STN DBS) on pain, a common non-motor symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD), may be due to variations in active contact location relative to some pain-reducing locus of stimulation. This study models and compares the loci of maximal effect for pain reduction and motor improvement in STN DBS.MethodsWe measured Movement Disorder Society Unified PD Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) Part I pain score (item-9), and MDS-UPDRS Part III motor score, preoperatively and 6–12 months after STN DBS. An ordinary least-squares regression model was used to examine active contact location as a predictor of follow-up pain score while controlling for baseline pain, age, dopaminergic medication, and motor improvement. An atlas-independent isotropic electric field model was applied to distinguish sites of maximally effective stimulation for pain and motor improvement.ResultsIn 74 PD patients, mean pain score significantly improved after STN DBS (p = 0.01). In a regression model, more dorsal active contact location was the only significant predictor of pain improvement (R2 = 0.17, p = 0.03). The stimulation locus for maximal pain improvement was lateral, anterior, and dorsal to that for maximal motor improvement.ConclusionSTN stimulation, dorsal to the site of optimal motor improvement, improves pain. This region contains the zona incerta, which is known to modulate pain in humans, and may explain this observation.

The Related Factors and Effect of Electrode Displacement on Motor Outcome of Subthalamic Nuclei Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson’s Disease

“…Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) is the most effective surgical treatment for patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) [1]. It can relieve both motor symptoms, such as tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural abnormalities [2,3], and non-motor symptoms, including anxiety, depression, and pain [4,5]. The precise implantation of electrodes into the sensorimotor area of the STN is considered paramount for maximizing the clinical effectiveness [6,7].…”