Objective: Characterize longitudinal evolution of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) parameters in patients with Parkinson´s Disease (PD) over a 6-year period and evaluate stability of programming intervals in the chronic phase.
Background: The global prevalence of PD is approximately 1.5 cases per 1,000 population, with higher rates observed in older age groups and in males (1). The treatment for PD centers on pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic strategies. Deep brain stimulation is a well-established non-pharmacological and surgical treatment for PD patients with motor fluctuations, dyskinesias, or medication-refractory tremor (2). Adjustment of DBS parameters is essential to optimize symptom control and minimize adverse effects, and is performed during programming sessions (3).
Method: We conducted a retrospective longitudinal analysis of 10 patients with PD treated with bilateral subthalamic nucleus DBS. Data were collected from 263 programming sessions spanning a 6-year follow-up period (2019-2026).
Results: Patients required an average of 7.9 adjustments per year during the first-year post-implantation. The median interval between programming session was 39 days. However, “stability window” was identified in long-term follow-up (4-6 years), where adjustment frequency decreased significantly, reaching a plateau in patients with mean interval: 95 days. Initial programming was symmetric in 60% of cases; however, 40% of patients developed significant hemispheric divergence over time (mean asymmetric increase: 0.21mA/year). A significant longitudinal increase in stimulation amplitude was observed, with a mean annual current drift of 0.55 mA/year (SD ± 0.78). This trend was linear in the majority of the cohort (mean R2 = 0.57), suggesting a predictable escalation in energy requirements over time. The mean charge per phase across the cohort was 153.2 nC. Although amplitude increased, total charge remained within established safety margins (<30 µC/cm2). The increase in energy was primarily driven by amplitude (mA) adjustments, as pulse width remained stable (mean: 58.6 µs) throughout the chronic phase of stimulation.
Conclusion: Long-term DBS management in PD is characterized by a significant and linear annual current drift (0.55 mA/year), requiring frequent adjustment that reach a plateau of stability after fourth year.
References: 1. Zhu J, Cui Y, Zhang J, Yan R, Su D, Zhao D, et al. Temporal trends in the prevalence of Parkinson’s disease from 1980 to 2023: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Healthy Longev. 2024 Jul;5(7):e464–79. doi:10.1016/S2666-7568(24)00094-1
2. Foltynie T, Bruno V, Fox S, Kühn AA, Lindop F, Lees AJ. Medical, surgical, and physical treatments for Parkinson’s disease. The Lancet. 2024 Jan;403(10423):305–24. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01429-0
3. Moro E, Esselink RJA, Xie J, Hommel M, Benabid AL, Pollak P. The impact on Parkinson’s disease of electrical parameter settings in STN stimulation. Neurology. 2002 Sep 10;59(5):706–13. doi:10.1212/WNL.59.5.706
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
D. Oropeza-Velázquez, A. Morales-Velez, LA. Haro-Santillan, M. Velázquez-Vaquero, D. Oropeza-Canto, E. Peña-Andrade, Y. Tiburcio-Núñez, D. Blumenkron-Marroquín, A. Romero-Pérez, CE. Chávez-Donis. Long-term evolution of deep brain stimulation parameters in Parkinson´s Disease: A 6-year analysis. [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2026; 41 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/long-term-evolution-of-deep-brain-stimulation-parameters-in-parkinsons-disease-a-6-year-analysis/. Accessed October 1, 2026.« Back to 2026 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/long-term-evolution-of-deep-brain-stimulation-parameters-in-parkinsons-disease-a-6-year-analysis/