Objective: Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the location of active contacts and weight gain after subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN DBS).

Background: Weight gain has been frequently reported as a side effect of STN DBS. The mechanism of weight gain remains unknown. Research into the relationship between weight gain and active contact locations is limited.

Method: We examined 14 PD patients who had a bilateral STN DBS operation at our hospital from October 2013 to February 2020 with a 1-year follow up. Body mass index (BMI), Unified PD Rating Scales (UPDRS), neurophysiological batteries were evaluated before and 1 year after surgery. Preoperative MRI and post-operative CT images were co-registered and transferred into the MNI space with the Lead-DBS matlab toolbox[1]. Coordinates of active contacts of each patient were measured on MNI space. Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) -PET were acquired before and 1-year after surgery and the brain metabolic change was analyzed using SPM12.

Results: The mean increase in BMI was 2.03 kg/m² 1 year after surgery. Mean UPDRS part III score markedly decreased after surgery. Weight gain showed a correlation with more anterior and dorsal location of active contacts on the left electrodes. Correlation was found between weight gain and increased metabolism in the left middle temporal gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, orbital gyrus.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest stimulation to associative and limbic area of STN may contribute to weight gain after STN DBS.

References: References: 1. Andreas Horn, Andrea Kühn. Lead-DBS: A toolbox for deep brain stimulation electrode localizations and visualizations. NeuroImage, 2014.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/correlation-between-location-of-active-contacts-and-weight-gain-after-subthalamic-nucleus-deep-brain-stimulation-in-parkinsons-disease/