Dual channel deep brain stimulation system of the bilateral subthalamic nucleus for treatment of Parkinson disease: 33 cases report

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new dual channel deep brain stimulation (DBS) system for treatment of Parkinson disease (PD). Methods Thirty-three patients with medically intractable PD underwent simultaneous bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation. The target was identified by a combination of MRI neuroimaging and microelectrode recording. We compared scores on the motor portion of the Unified Parkinson disease rating scale (UPDRS) when the stimulation was turned on or off. Results The mean follow-up duration was 7.3 months (ranging from 3 to 48 months). When the stimulation was turned on, improvement rate of the UPDRS motor scores was 62.3% under off-status and 24.2% under on-status. Mild memory decline was observed in 2 cases, mood changes in 7 cases, eyelid opening apraxia in one case, and dyskinesias in 15 cases. No serious adverse events and permanent morbidity were observed in the cohort. Conclusion Bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation is a minimally invasive procedure and achieves significant control of the motor symptoms of the patients.