Increase of frequency in deep brain stimulation relieves apraxia of eyelid opening in patients with Parkinson's disease: case report.
OBJECTIVE
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus is an effective treatment in advanced stages of Parkinson's disease. However, approximately 5% of patients might develop apraxia of eyelid opening after DBS of the subthalamic nucleus. We provide data on a new noninvasive treatment approach to this adverse event.


METHODS
We report 2 patients who acquired apraxia of eyelid opening after DBS. This adverse event was relieved by changing the stimulation parameters.


METHODS
The stimulation frequency was increased from 100 Hz to 180 Hz in 1 patient and 160 Hz in the other, resulting in a total relief of symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Increasing stimulation frequency may be beneficial in apraxia of eyelid opening acquired after DBS of the subthalamic nucleus.
Strecker
Karl
K
Department of Neurology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. KarlStrecker@gmx.de
Meixensberger
Jürgen
J
Schwarz
Johannes
J
Winkler
Dirk
D
D000368:Aged; D001072:Apraxias / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D046690:Deep Brain Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation*