Objective: To evaluate impulse control in participating subjects of the INTREPID randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients undergoing treatment with either medications or deep brain stimulation (DBS) can manifest complications associated with dopamine dysregulation syndrome (DDS) and impulse control disorders (ICDs) such as mania, compulsive gambling, buying, hypersexuality, binge eating, etc. Conflicting results have been reported in the literature regarding the effects of DBS on ICD/DDS symptoms. The INTREPID RCT sought to evaluate the improvement in motor function and quality of life in patients with advanced, levodopa responsive PD who underwent bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) DBS.

Method: INTREPID (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01839396) is a multi-center, prospective, double-blinded,randomized controlled trial (RCT) sponsored by Boston Scientific. Subjects with advanced PD were implanted bilaterally in the STN with a multiple-source, constant-current DBS System (Vercise, Boston Scientific).Subjects were evaluated by a neuropsychologist pre- and post-implantation (in the stim on/meds on condition).Questionnaires to evaluate DDS (Giovanni et al.) and ICD (QUIP-RS) were collected and analyzed.

Results: Data collection and analysis is ongoing. Results will be presented.

Conclusion: Developments in device technology provide an opportunity to re-explore long-standing challenges associated with managing symptoms of PD in patients using DBS, including the clinical manifestation of behavioral and neuropsychiatric issues. The INTREPID RCT was in part designed to clarify the impact of DBS on ICD and DDS symptoms.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/effect-of-subthalamic-deep-brain-stimulation-dbs-on-impulsive-control-disorders-icd-and-dopamine-dysregulation-syndrome-dds-a-randomized-controlled-trial-evaluating-deep-brain-stimulation-usin/