Senior Scholars Program
Title
Limbic and motor function comparison of deep brain stimulation of the zona incerta and subthalamic nucleus
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Neurology; Department of Psychiatry
Publication Date
2012-3
Document Type
Article
Disciplines
Life Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Psychiatric and neuropsychological side effects of subthalamic nucleus (STN) stimulation have been increasingly recognized. Most programming regimens focus on contacts 0 and 1, whereas contact 3, which often is located near or in the zona incerta (ZI), is usually not used. The question of whether ZI stimulation may limit limbic effects has not been answered.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of short-term stimulation near or in the ZI (contact 3) compared with stimulation of the STN using standard trajectories and targeting as measured by limbic and motor functions.
METHODS: Motor and limbic functions of 11 patients with STN DBS were assessed with the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale-3, structured gait video analysis, Visual Analog Scale mood scales, task testing of impulsivity, and facial recognition under routine STN programming and under stimulation in or near the ZI. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the location of contact 3 near or in the ZI.
RESULTS: Data analysis with repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed that motor scores remained stable with both stimulation settings, with specific improvements in finger taps (P = .02) and rapid alternating movements (P = .03) in ZI stimulation. Stimulation near or in the ZI led to a decrease in self- reported anxiety and depression (P = .03 for both) and an improvement in fear recognition (P = .02).
CONCLUSION: We provide preliminary evidence that stimulation in or near the ZI results in maintained motor function while improving self-reported depression and anxiety in patients with bilateral STN DBS. Stimulation in or near the ZI may provide a useful programming setting for patients prone to psychiatric side effects.
DOI of Published Version
10.1227/NEU.0b013e318232fdac
Source
Neurosurgery. 2012 Mar;70(1 Suppl Operative):125-30; discussion 130-1. Link to article on publisher's site
Journal/Book/Conference Title
Neurosurgery
Related Resources
PubMed ID
21869721
Repository Citation
Burrows, Anthony M.; Ravin, Paula D.; Novak, Peter; Peters, Mary Linton; Dessureau, Brian; Swearer, Joan M.; and Pilitsis, Julie G., "Limbic and motor function comparison of deep brain stimulation of the zona incerta and subthalamic nucleus" (2012). University of Massachusetts Medical School. Senior Scholars Program. Paper 143.
https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/ssp/143