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.

Unilateral subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation contralateral to thalamic stimulation in Parkinson disease.

Samii A, Slimp JC, Goodkin R

VAPSHCS, Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Mailstop 127, 1660 S. Columbian Way, Seattle, WA 98108, USA. asamii@u.washington.edu

The effects of unilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) stimulation contralateral to thalamic stimulation in Parkinson disease (PD) have not been previously reported. We are reporting a patient who developed left arm tremor in 1994, at age 62, as her first PD symptom. She underwent right thalamic DBS surgery in 1999 that resulted in complete resolution of left arm tremor. Her PD symptoms progressed and she developed severe motor fluctuations and disabling dyskinesias. In 2003, she underwent left STN electrode implantation. Left STN stimulation improved contralateral motor scores in the medication OFF state, and allowed for reduced medication doses and less dyskinesia. However, there was no significant improvement in activities of daily living (ADL), motor scores in the medication ON state, gait, or postural stability.

Published 9 May 2005 in Parkinsonism Relat Disord, 11(4): 257-8.
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