Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Controlling Parkinson's Disease With Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation
Published on: July 16, 2014
Sub-acute delayed failure of subthalamic DBS in Parkinson's disease: the role of micro-lesion effect
C Granziera1, C Pollo, H Russmann
1Department of Neurology, Centre Hospitalier, Universitaire Vaudois, CHUV, Rue du Bugnon, 46, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
Objective:
To study delayed failure after subthalamic nucleus (STN) deep brain stimulation in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients.
Methods:
Out of 56 consecutive bilaterally STN-implanted PD patients, we selected subjects who, after initial clinical improvement (1 month after surgery), lost benefit (delayed failure, DF).
Results:
Five patients developed sub-acutely severe gait disorders (DF). In 4/5 DF patients, a micro-lesion effect, defined as improvement without stimulation, was observed; immediate post-operative MRI demonstrated electrode located above or behind to the STN.
Conclusions:
Patients presenting micro-lesion effect should be carefully monitored, as this phenomenon can mask electrodes misplacement and evolution in DF.
Related Concept Videos
Parkinson's Disease: Treatment
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of its...
Parkinson Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Parkinson's Disease: Overview
