Sustained relief of generalized dystonia despite prolonged interruption of deep brain stimulation. Issue 10 (11th February 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cheung, Tyler; Zhang, Cen; Rudolph, Joseph; Alterman, Ron L.; Tagliati, Michele
• Is Part Of: Movement disorders. Volume 28:Issue 10(2013)
• Page Start: 1431
• Page End: 1434
• Publication Date: 2013-02-11
• Subjects: Movement disorders -- Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1002/mds.25353
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0885-3185

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <sec id="mds25353-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Pallidal deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an established treatment for disabling, medication‐refractory generalized dystonia. Patients typically regress to their preoperative baseline when stimulation is discontinued.</p> </sec> <sec id="mds25353-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Presented are case reports of 2 dystonia patients.</p> </sec> <sec id="mds25353-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Two patients with primary generalized dystonia (1 with the <italic>DYT1</italic> mutation) who were treated successfully with bilateral pallidal DBS for periods of 18 months and 5 years retained motor benefit for several months after inadvertent interruption of stimulation. Stimulation was interrupted unilaterally for 3 and 7 months and bilaterally for 2 days and 2 months, respectively. Symptoms of dystonia returned only partially during the period of therapy interruption and rapidly and completely resolved after resuming stimulation.</p> </sec> <sec id="mds25353-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>We report unexpected and prolonged retention of motor benefits despite transient cessation of pallidal DBS in 2 dystonia patients. Factors that appear to differentiate these individuals are young age, short duration of disease, and chronic DBS therapy with relatively low energy of stimulation. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society</p> </sec> </abstract>