title: Bilateral Implantation of Centromedian-Parafascicularis Complex and GPi: A New Combination of Unconventional Targets for Deep Brain Stimulation in Severe Parkinson Disease.
abstract: Objectives.  Traditional deep brain stimulation (DBS) at the subthalamic nucleus (STN) has proved to be efficacious on core Parkinsonian symptoms. However, very disabling l-dopa-induced abnormal involuntary movements (AIMs) and axial signs are slightly affected, suggesting that we target less conventional targets. Our candidates for DBS were the globus pallidus internus (GPi) plus the intralaminar thalamic complex (Pf or CM), given its extensive functional links with basal ganglia nuclei. Materials and Methods.  The routine utilization of our innovative stereotactic apparatus allows us to implant, at the same time, both the CM-Pf complex together with the GPi in six Parkinson disease patients. Both intraoperative and postoperative neurophysiologic assessments helped us recognize functional subregions while optimizing implantation of electrodes. Unified Parkinson disease rating scale (UPDRS) motor scores, AIMs, and freezing were carefully blindly evaluated for each condition. Results.  A significant amelioration of UPDRS scores was achieved by simultaneous activation of both targets. CM-Pf activation was only slightly effective in reducing rigidity and akinesia, but more efficacious on freezing. Not surprisingly, AIMs were peculiarly decreased by the activation of the permanent electro-catheter in the posteroventral GPi. Conclusions.  These findings confirm that, in selected patients, it is conceivable to target structures other than the conventional STN in order to maximize clinical benefit.
authors.affiliation: Unità Operativa di Neurochirurgia Funzionale e Stereotassica, Ospedale CTO, Roma, Italy;              Institute of Neurology, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Isernia, Italy;              Clinica Neurologica, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, Roma, Italy;              Unità Operativa di Neurologia, Ospedale S. Eugenio, ASL RMC, Roma, Italy;              I.R.C.C.S. Fondazione S. Lucia, Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mazzone
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Stocchi
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Galati
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Insola
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Altibrandi
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Modugno
authors.forename: Domenicantonio
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tropepi
authors.forename: Livia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brusa
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stefani