Does Deep Brain Stimulation Really Help Driving Ability?

New findings suggest so but should not be over-interpreted.

In this small study, researchers examined the effects of subthalamic nucleus (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) on driving ability in patients with Parkinson disease (PD). Three groups of currently licensed patients completed tests on a driving simulator: 23 PD patients with DBS, 21 PD patients on medications without DBS, and 21 controls. For the DBS group, the investigators assessed performance in three conditions: with both medication and stimulation (STIM), with medication but with stimulation off (OFF), and without stimulation or medication.

The study focused on driving times and errors. Age and preexisting cognitive issues worsened driving in all groups. The PD patients without DBS had longer driving times and more driving errors than c…

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)