Objective: We aimed to investigate whether deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery could impact on the vascular endothelial function and heart rate variability in Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Background: Heart rate variability and endothelial function have been reported to be impaired and might be implicated in the progression in PD.

Method: A total of 23 advanced PD patients were recruited. Endothelial function was evaluated with flow mediated dilation (FMD). HRV was evaluated using the RR intervals of a 5-min electrocardiogram recording. Time domains (RR-standard deviation, root mean square difference of successive RR intervals) and frequency domains (low- and high-frequency and total spectral power) were analysed. FMD and HRV were investigated before and after 1 year of DBS surgery.

Results: FMD improved (6.01 ± 1.51 to 6.79 ± 1.57, p=0.04), but there were no significant changes in HRV parameters. While the level of homocysteine slightly decreased (13.9 ± 4.1 to 13.1 ± 3.1, p=0.041), there was no significant correlation between changes in homocysteine levels and alterations in FMD (r=-0.209, p=0.087).

Conclusion: STN DBS surgery could decrease levodopa dosage, improve motor and endothelial function but had no direct effect on HRV. Endothelial function has been reported to correlated with cognitive function and white matter change presumably by controlling of micro-cerebral blood flow. The modification of endothelial function could be a promising therapeutic approach to treat levodopa-resistant symptoms in PD.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/effect-of-deep-brain-stimulation-on-endothelial-function-and-heart-rate-variability-in-parkinsons-disease/