Subthalamic stimulation improves levodopa responsive symptoms in a case of progressive supranuclear palsy.
A case is described of a patient with levodopa responsive parkinsonism, dyskinesia, and off periods who underwent bilateral deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nuclei (DBS-STN) with good result. As the disease progressed, the patient fit diagnostic criteria for progressive supranuclear palsy parkinsonism (PSP-P). Benefit of DBS for the parkinsonian phenomena is still apparent 4 years later. That DBS-STN provided targeted symptom relief in this unusual patient suggests that the parkinsonism of PSP-P and that of Parkinson's disease (PD) may share a common pathophysiologic mechanism. The presence of dystonic features in this illness raises the possibility that the globus pallidus might also have been an effective target.
Bergmann
Kenneth J
KJ
Murray Center for Research on Parkinson's Disease and Related Disorders, Movement Disorders Program, Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. Bergmann@musc.edu
Salak
Vicky L
VL
D046690:Deep Brain Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020531:Subthalamic Nucleus / Q000502:physiology*; D013494:Supranuclear Palsy, Progressive / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors