Category: Parkinson's Disease: Surgical Therapy
Objective: To determine whether outcomes from STN DBS for PD using clinical-based selected active contacts can be improved by revising stimulation contact based on intraoperative LFP.
Background: Subthalmic nucleus (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a well-established treatment for advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD). The outcome of this therapy depends on clinical characteristics of patients, DBS lead location and post-operative programming. The stimulation parameter usually depends on time-consuming error and trial procedure (clinical-based). Excessive synchronization at beta range (13-35 Hz) local field potentials (LFPs) in the STN area is a hallmark of PD, and could help target implantation and inform programming (LFP-based).
Method: 11 patients with PD with long-term stable response to STN DBS were recruited.
UPDRS part III was assessed at least one year after operation (clinical-based stimulation) and re-assessed after re-programming. The reprogramming used the active contact selected by the results of intraoperative stepped LFP recordings [1]. The location with maximal beta power was selected for chronic stimulation (LFP-based stimulation).
Results: The bradykinesia+rigidity (UPDRS III 22-26) score on contralateral side and axial score (UPDRS III 27-30) improved by 31.6 % and 25.9% , respectively. Significant improvement was also seen in bradykinesia (40.5%) but not rigidity (7.6%). Improvement was seen in 10 patients and but conditions of one single patient worsened.
Conclusion: Reprogramming using LFP-based active contact could further improve motor impairment in PD in the majority of PD patients even after long-term DBS therapy. Not only contralateral bradykinesia+rigidity was improved but also axial symptoms. This study confirmed intraoperative stepped LFP recordings can help target the implantation and inform the postoperative programming.
References: 1. Chen, Yi-Chieh et al. “Theta Oscillations at Subthalamic Region Predicts Hypomania State After Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson’s Disease.” Frontiers in human neuroscience vol. 15 797314. 20 Dec. 2021, doi:10.3389/fnhum.2021.797314
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
MS. Chen, YC. Chen, PL. Chen, PH. Tu, MC. Yeap, CC. Chen. Outcome of Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation: comparison between clinical-based and LFP-based programming [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2025; 40 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/outcome-of-subthalamic-nucleus-deep-brain-stimulation-comparison-between-clinical-based-and-lfp-based-programming/. Accessed October 5, 2025.« Back to 2025 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/outcome-of-subthalamic-nucleus-deep-brain-stimulation-comparison-between-clinical-based-and-lfp-based-programming/