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.

Subthalamic stimulation activates internal pallidus: evidence from cGMP microdialysis in PD patients.

Stefani A, Fedele E, Galati S, Pepicelli O, Frasca S, Pierantozzi M, Peppe A, Brusa L, Orlacchio A, Hainsworth AH, Gattoni G, Stanzione P, Bernardi G, Raiteri M, Mazzone P

Instituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carrattere Scientificio (IRCCS) Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy.

Parkinson's disease patients benefit from deep brain stimulation (DBS) in subthalamic nucleus (STN), but the basis for this effect is still disputed. In this intraoperative microdialysis study, we found elevated cGMP extracellular concentrations in the internal segment of the globus pallidus, despite negligible changes in glutamate levels, during a clinically effective STN-DBS. This supports the view that a clinically beneficial effect of STN-DBS is paralleled by an augmentation (and not an inactivation) of the STN output onto the GPi.

Published 7 March 2005 in Ann Neurol, 57(3): 448-52.
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