title: Freezing and hypokinesia of gait induced by stimulation of the subthalamic region.
abstract: We report a case of a Parkinson's disease patient treated by bilateral deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus, who developed freezing and hypokinesia of gait induced by stimulation through a left-side misplaced electrode which was more antero-medial than the planned trajectory. Subsequently, correct repositioning of the left electrode afforded complete relief of gait disturbances. Freezing and hypokinesia of gait may be side effects of deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic region due to current spreading antero-medially to the subthalamic nucleus. These side effects are not subject to habituation and restrict any increase in stimulation parameters. We hypothesize that pallidal projections to the pedunculopontine nucleus could be responsible for these gait disturbances in our patient.
authors: Institute of Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, Italy.
authors: Giorgio
authors: G
authors: Tommasi
authors: Leonardo
authors: L
authors: Lopiano
authors: Maurizio
authors: M
authors: Zibetti
authors: Annina
authors: A
authors: Cinquepalmi
authors: Chiara
authors: C
authors: Fronda
authors: Bruno
authors: B
authors: Bergamasco
authors: Alessandro
authors: A
authors: Ducati
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Lanotte
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D046690:Deep Brain Stimulation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D046352:Freezing Reaction, Cataleptic / Q000528:radiation effects*; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D018476:Hypokinesia / Q000209:etiology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D020531:Subthalamic Nucleus / Q000601:surgery*