Category: Dystonia: Clinical Trials and Therapy
Objective: Identification of risk factors for stimulation-induced bradykinesia in GPi-DBS
Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective treatment for dystonia, but some patients may experience stimulation-induced side effects, including bradykinesia. In this retrospective analysis, we investigated factors associated with the development of stimulation-induced bradykinesia in a cohort of DBS-treated dystonia patients.Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective treatment for dystonia, but some patients may experience stimulation-induced side effects, including bradykinesia. In this retrospective analysis, we investigated factors associated with the development of stimulation-induced bradykinesia in a cohort of DBS-treated dystonia patients.
Method: In a multicenter cohort, we retrospectively analyzed data from 86 patients who had been implanted with DBS electrodes for dystonia in various European centers. Ten patients were excluded due to missing video material, and 21 patients were excluded due to incomplete neurological examinations for bradykinesia. The remaining 55 patients (28 male, 27 female) were included in the analysis. Types of dystonia included cervical dystonia (23 patients), segmental dystonia (7 patients), and generalized dystonia (25 patients).
Results: Age of onset had a significant effect on the development of stimulation-induced bradykinesia (p<0.005), with higher age of onset associated with a greater likelihood of developing the side effect. Patients with cervical and segmental dystonia were more likely to develop stimulation-induced bradykinesia (p<0.05). We found no significant difference in stimulation parameters or type of responder between patients who developed stimulation-induced bradykinesia and those who did not.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that age of onset and dystonia subtype may be important factors to consider when predicting the risk of stimulation-induced bradykinesia in DBS-treated dystonia patients. Further research is needed to confirm these results and identify additional risk factors.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
F. Lange, B. Karandasch, P. Mahlknecht, J. Kraus, A. Kühn, G. Deuschl, J. Volkmann, M. Reich. Risk Factors for Stimulation-Induced Bradykinesia in Dystonia Patients Treated with Deep Brain Stimulation: A Retrospective Analysis. [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2023; 38 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/risk-factors-for-stimulation-induced-bradykinesia-in-dystonia-patients-treated-with-deep-brain-stimulation-a-retrospective-analysis/. Accessed June 15, 2025.« Back to 2023 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/risk-factors-for-stimulation-induced-bradykinesia-in-dystonia-patients-treated-with-deep-brain-stimulation-a-retrospective-analysis/