title: Clinical outcome of deep brain stimulation for dystonia: constant-current or constant-voltage stimulation? A non-randomized study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Bilateral globus pallidus deep brain stimulation (GPi-DBS) represents an effective and relatively safe therapy for different forms of refractory dystonia. The aim of this study was to assess, retrospectively, the effect of two different stimulation settings during GPi-DBS in 22 patients affected by primary generalized or multi-segmental dystonia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen patients were stimulated using a voltage-controlled setting whilst in the other nine patients a current-controlled setting was used. Clinical features were evaluated for each patient at baseline, 6 months and 12 months after surgery by means of the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Globus pallidus deep brain stimulation was effective in all patients. However, comparing constant-current and constant-voltage stimulation, a better outcome was found in the current-controlled group during the last 6 months of follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Current-controlled stimulation is effective during GPi-DBS for primary dystonia and it could be a better choice than voltage-controlled stimulation over long-term follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Neurology Unit, 'S. Maria della Misericordia' University Hospital, Udine, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lettieri
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rinaldo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Devigili
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pisa
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mucchiut
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Belgrado
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mondani
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: D'Auria
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ius
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Skrap
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Eleopra
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D046690:Deep Brain Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D020821:Dystonic Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005917:Globus Pallidus / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: constant-current stimulation; constant-voltage stimulation; deep brain stimulation; dystonia; impedance