Subthalamic nucleus stimulation for Parkinson's disease preferentially improves akinesia of proximal arm movements compared to finger movements.
Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS) reduces akinesia in Parkinson's disease but its impact on fine motor functions was unknown. We assessed the effects of DBS and a levodopa (L-dopa) test on the timing of the precision grip in 18 patients. Improvement on UPDRS-items reflecting hand functions and the shortening of the first phases of the precision grip were more distinct in the L-dopa test than in the pure STN-DBS condition. Other akinesia items and the time for build-up of lifting force were equally improved in both conditions. This suggests that routine STN-DBS might not be equally effective on all aspects of fine motor functions.
Wenzelburger
Roland
R
Department of Neurology, Christian-Albrechts Universität Kiel, Kiel, Germany.
Kopper
Florian
F
Zhang
Bao-Rong
BR
Witt
Karsten
K
Hamel
Wolfgang
W
Weinert
Dieter
D
Kuhtz-Buschbeck
Johann
J
Gölge
Mukaddes
M
Illert
Michael
M
Deuschl
Günther
G
Krack
Paul
P
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001132:Arm / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020820:Dyskinesias / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D005385:Fingers / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009068:Movement / Q000528:radiation effects; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D020531:Subthalamic Nucleus / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013997:Time Factors
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D007980:Levodopa