Parkinson's Disease Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Parkinson's Disease, including details on symptoms, treatment, genetics, medication.

Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus reduces antiparkinsonian medication costs.

Charles PD, Padaliya BB, Newman WJ, Gill CE, Covington CD, Fang JY, So SA, Tramontana MG, Konrad PE, Davis TL

The Movement Disorders Clinic, Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 2100 Pierce Avenue, Suite 352 MCS, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212-3375, USA. p.david.charles@vanderbilt.edu

This study reports a retrospective analysis of 16 patients to determine changes in medication costs associated with deep brain stimulation of the bilateral subthalamic nucleus (DBS B-STN). Antiparkinsonian medication (APMED) costs were evaluated pre- and post-operatively at 1 and 2 years, based on prescribed dosages. After treatment with DBS, patients experienced a 32% reduction in APMED costs after 1 year and a 39% reduction after 2 years. Hypothetical projections of total potential savings are presented, accounting for increasingly complex medication regimens and medication cost inflation. DBS patients may experience a significant long-term reduction in the cost of their pharmacologic treatment.

Published 15 November 2004 in Parkinsonism Relat Disord, 10(8): 475-9.
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