Facial expression recognition and subthalamic nucleus stimulation.
BACKGROUND
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) improves motor signs in Parkinson's disease. However, clinical studies suggest that DBS of the STN may also affect cognitive and emotional functions.


OBJECTIVE
To study the impact of STN stimulation in Parkinson's disease on perception of facial expressions.


RESULTS
There was a selective reduction in recognition of angry faces, but not other expressions, during STN stimulation.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings may have important implications for social adjustment in these patients.
Schroeder
U
U
Department of Neurology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Möhlstrasse 28, D-81675 Munich, Germany.
Kuehler
A
A
Hennenlotter
A
A
Haslinger
B
B
Tronnier
V M
VM
Krause
M
M
Pfister
R
R
Sprengelmeyer
R
R
Lange
K W
KW
Ceballos-Baumann
A O
AO
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000786:Anger / Q000502:physiology; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D004193:Discrimination Learning / Q000502:physiology; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D005149:Facial Expression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009949:Orientation / Q000502:physiology; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D012917:Social Adjustment; D020531:Subthalamic Nucleus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome