Earlier DBS for Parkinson Disease

Patients with early motor complications benefited from deep brain stimulation.

To test the hypothesis that deep brain stimulation (DBS) plus levodopa would be better than levodopa alone for selected patients with early stage Parkinson disease (PD), researchers conducted a partially manufacturer-funded, parallel-group, multicenter study. The primary outcome was change on the Parkinson's Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire (PDQ-39) at 2 years. Researchers randomly assigned 251 patients with early motor complications of PD (mean age, 52; maximum age, 60; mean disease duration, 7.5 years) to bilateral subthalamic neurostimulation plus medication or medication only. The investigators ensured appropriate medication therapy and optimal medication adjustments. Patients could not have severe gait and postural difficulties.

Th…

Reviewing Author

Michael S. Okun, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardParkinson’s Foundation; Tourette Association of America

Speaker’s BureauMedscape/WebMD CME, Movement Disorders Society CME, American Academy of Neurology CME

RoyaltiesBooks4Patients; Demos; Cambridge; Taylor and Francis; Robert Rose; Public Affairs

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; Parkinson’s Foundation; Tourette Association of America; University of Florida Foundation

Editorial BoardsTremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movements; JAMA Neurology

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesParkinson’s Foundation (Medical Advisor)