Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2021, Vol. 16 ›› Issue (5): 905-909.doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.297089

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Effects of bilateral subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation on motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease: a retrospective cohort study

Guo-Xiong Cheng1, #, Shu-Bin Yin2, #, Ying-Hao Yang1, Yuan-Hu Hu2, Chih-Yang Huang3, 4, 5, 6, Qian-Ming Yao1, 2, *, Wei-Jen Ting2, *#br#   

  1. 1 Deparment of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China;  2 Deparment of Neurosurgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan, Guangdong Province, China;  3 Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, China;  4 Department of Health and Nutrition Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan, China;  5 College of Medicine, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan, China;  6 Medical Research Center for Exosome and Mitochondria Related Diseases, China Medical University and Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, China
  • Online:2021-05-15 Published:2020-12-29
  • Contact: Qian-Ming Yao, PhD, yaoqianming@gzhmu.edu.cn; Wei-Jen Ting, PhD, tingweijen@gzhmu.edu.cn.
  • Supported by:
    This study was supported in part by the Guangdong Medical Science Foundation of China, Nos. A2013252 (to GXC), C2013024 (to QMY), and Guangdong Science and Technology Foundation of China, No. 20120318018 (to QMY). 

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Abstract: Deep brain stimulation of the bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) is a therapeutic option for patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in whom medical therapies have been ineffective. This retrospective cohort study analyzed the motor function of 27 patients with advanced PD, from the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, China, who received deep brain stimulation of the bilateral subthalamic nucleus and evaluated its therapeutic effects. The 10-year follow-up data of patients was analyzed in Qingyuan People’s Hospital, Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, China. The follow-up data were divided into two categories based on patients during levodopa treatment (on-medication) and without levodopa treatment (off-medication). Compared with baseline, the motor function of on-medication PD patients improved after deep brain stimulation of the bilateral subthalamic nucleus. Even 2 years later, the motor function of off-medication PD patients had improved. On-medication PD patients exhibited better therapeutic effects over the 5 years than off-medication PD patients. On-medication patients’ akinesia, speech, postural stability, gait, and cognitive function worsened only after 5 years. These results suggest that the motor function of patients with advanced PD benefitted from treatment with deep brain stimulation of the bilateral subthalamic nucleus over a period up to 5 years. The overall therapeutic effects were more pronounced when levodopa treatment was combined with deep brain stimulation of the bilateral subthalamic nucleus. This study was approved by Institutional Review Board of Qingyuan People’s Hospital, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, China (approval No. QPH-IRB-A0140) on January 11, 2018.

Key words: clinical trial, deep brain stimulation, dopamine, dyskinesia, levodopa, long-term follow-up, neurological function, Parkinson’s disease, thalamus, UPDRS