Neuropsychological and quality of life changes following unilateral thalamic deep brain stimulation in Parkinson's disease: A one-year follow-up

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Background. The long-term neuropsychological and quality of life (QOL) outcomes of unilateral thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) in patients with intractable Parkinson's disease (PD) have not heretofore been described. Method. Six patients diagnosed with PD underwent unilateral DBS implantation into a veri(r)ed thalamic VIM nucleus target. Participants completed presurgical neuropsychological evaluation and follow-up assessment at approximately one year postsurgery. Findings. Compared to their presurgical scores, PD patients exhibited signi(r)cant improvement on measures of conceptualization, verbal memory, emotional adjustment, and QOL at one-year follow-up. A few nominal declines were observed across the battery of tests. Interpretation. These data provide preliminary support for the long-term neurocognitive safety and QOL improvements following thalamic stimulation in patients with PD.

Publication Date

12-1-2001

Publication Title

Acta Neurochirurgica

ISSN

00016268

Volume

143

Issue

12

First Page

1273

Last Page

1278

PubMed ID

11810392

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1007/s007010100024

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