STN vs. GPi DBS for Parkinson Disease: More Evidence of Similarity

Secondary findings show subtle differences but should be interpreted cautiously.

Researchers conducted a multicenter study to investigate whether globus pallidus pars interna (GPi) deep brain stimulation (DBS) was superior to subthalamic nucleus (STN) DBS in treating Parkinson disease (PD). The investigators randomized 128 well-characterized and appropriately screened PD patients to STN DBS (63 patients) or GPi DBS (65 patients). There were two primary outcomes, assessed 12 months after stimulator implantation: scores on the Academic Medical Center Linear Disability Scale (ALDS; weighted by time spent in the off and on phases, according to 3-day patient diaries), and a composite score for cognitive, mood, and behavioral effects.

The treatment groups did not differ statistically on either primary outcome variable or in ad…

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)