Category: Parkinson's Disease (Other)
Objective: To evaluate long-term real-world motor, quality-of-life, medication, and safety outcomes in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) treated with a multiple-independent-current-control (MICC) directional deep brain stimulation (DBS) system targeting the subthalamic nucleus (STN).
Background: STN-DBS is an established therapy for selected patients with PD. Directional leads with MICC technology enable individualized current steering and programming. Large prospective registries provide important evidence on durability and real-world effectiveness. The Vercise Registry (NCT02071134) is an ongoing global, multicenter study assessing outcomes following implantation of a commercially approved MICC-based directional DBS system.
Method: This prospective, international registry plans to enroll up to 1,500 patients at 150 sites. At the March 2025 interim analysis, 1,007 STN implants (72 GPi) across 48 sites were included. Programming followed standard clinical practice. Assessments through 3 years included MDS-UPDRS/UPDRS, PDQ-39, levodopa equivalent daily dose (LEDD), BDI-II, MoCA, Clinical Global Impression of Change, and safety events. Outcomes were compared with baseline.
Results: Mean age was 60.5±8.4 years and mean disease duration 10.3±4.6 years. Baseline MDS-UPDRS III (OFF) was 46.7±15.0 and mean LEDD 1066±518 mg. Motor scores improved by 20 points at 6 months and remained improved at 3 years (19-point change; p<0.0001). LEDD decreased by 39% at 6 months and 33% at 3 years (p<0.0001). PDQ-39 domains including mobility, activities of daily living, stigma, and bodily discomfort improved significantly and were sustained through 3 years. In patients with pathologic depression (BDI-II≥14), depressive symptoms improved by 22% at 6 months. Motor improvements were similar in patients with and without depression.
Conclusion: The Vercise Registry is the largest real-world cohort of STN directional DBS reported to date. MICC-based directional STN-DBS was associated with sustained improvements in motor function and quality of life, along with significant reductions in medication use through 3 years. Benefits were consistent across clinical subgroups, supporting the durability and broad effectiveness of directional STN-DBS in PD.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
G. Deuschl, M. Barbe, S. Paschen, A. Kühn, C. Sik Lee, J. Volkmann, J. Vesper, R. Shivacharan, E. Goldberg. Three-Year Results from the Largest Prospective Cohort of Directional Subthalamic Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson’s Disease to Date [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2026; 41 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/three-year-results-from-the-largest-prospective-cohort-of-directional-subthalamic-deep-brain-stimulation-in-parkinsons-disease-to-date/. Accessed October 1, 2026.« Back to 2026 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/three-year-results-from-the-largest-prospective-cohort-of-directional-subthalamic-deep-brain-stimulation-in-parkinsons-disease-to-date/