title: The optimal stimulation site for chronic stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus in Parkinson's disease.
abstract: To determine the optimal stimulation site within the subthalamic nucleus (STN), monopolar stimulation of four electrode contacts and the resulting effects on parkinsonian symptoms were evaluated in 10 consecutive patients. The UPDRS score for rigidity and akinesia improved significantly after stimulation at each of the contacts, compared to the pre-evaluation state (Fisher's test, p < 0.05). The most significant improvement was obtained after stimulation at contact-2 (rigidity: 74.4 +/- 20.4%, akinesia: 53.7 +/- 14.3%) (Fisher's test, p < 0.001). Contact-2 was located at the dorsal border of the STN at a mean distance of 0.3 +/- 0.7 mm. DBS at the dorsal border of the STN, where the stimulation affects the neurons as well as their axonal fibers, produces the greatest clinical improvement in parkinsonian symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan. yokoyama@hama-med.ac.jp
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yokoyama
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sugiyama
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nishizawa
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yokota
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ohta
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akamine
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Namba
mesh_terms: D001931:Brain Mapping; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009127:Muscle Rigidity / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D020531:Subthalamic Nucleus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome