The impact on Parkinson’s disease of electrical parameter settings in STN stimulation

Background The main advantage of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the treatment of PD is that the electrical settings can be adjusted to optimize benefits and minimize adverse effects. The main objective of this study was to discover how varying these electrical parameters impacted on parkinsonian motor signs. Methods Twelve patients with PD with chronic bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) stimulation were selected. The authors evaluated the effects of a variation in the voltages, frequencies, and pulse widths on tremor, bradykinesia, and rigidity using two different paradigms: one in which the total electrical energy delivered was held constant, and one in which this was varied. Up to 26 parameter conditions were tested under double blind randomized conditions. Results Voltages ≥3 V and frequencies ≥130 Hz led to the greatest improvement in all three parkinsonian signs. A rate of 5 Hz significantly worsened akinesia. The combination of the highest voltage with the narrowest pulse width was most effective. Conclusions This study confirms that the most beneficial effects induced by STN stimulation are obtained at high frequencies and that voltage is the most critical factor to obtain adequate alteration in STN activity. The mechanisms by which STN DBS improves parkinsonism remain speculative.

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