THE EMOTIONAL EFFECTS OF DBS ON PARKINSON'S DISEASE

6th April 2016 - New research

Researchers assessed the effect of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) on anxiety, depression and psychosis. Deep Brain Stimulation involves the use of electrodes that are implanted into the brain and connected to a small electrical device that can be externally programmed. DBS can reduce the need for L-dopa and related drugs, which in turn decreases the dyskinesias that are a common side effect of L-dopa. DBS helps to alleviate fluctuations of symptoms and reduce tremors, slowness of movements, and gait problems. DBS requires careful programming of the stimulator device.

 For more information go to : http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/deep_brain_stimulation/deep_brain_stimulation.htm

Improvement of depression and anxiety was apparent after DBS, and was more pronounced in the short-term, an effect that seems to decline in later assessments. Concerning depression, DBS was more effective than medical treatment. However, with anxiety, medical treatments were found to be more effective than DBS. The pattern and course of depression and anxiety following DBS is not clear, although both seem to improve in the short-term.

The risk of psychosis remains fairly constant throughout the first five years after DBS implantation. Results suggest that most psychoses occurring postoperatively are independent of DBS implantation and stimulation settings.

References :
Acta Medica Portuguesa [2014] 27 (3) : 372-382 (M.I.Couto, A.Monteiro, A.Oliveira, N.Lunet, J.Massano) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25017350
Neurosurgical Focus [2015] 38 (6) : E5 (A.A.Qureshi, J.J.Cheng, A.N.Sunshine, A.Wu, G.M.Pontone, N.Cascella, F.A.Lenz, S.E.Grill, W.S.Anderson) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26030705

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