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Updated: May 1, 2026
Microelectrode Guided Implantation of Electrodes into the Subthalamic Nucleus of Rats for Long-term Deep Brain Stimulation
Published on: October 2, 2015
Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus improves pain in Parkinson's disease
Jean Pellaprat1, Fabienne Ory-Magne2, Cindy Canivet2
1INSERM, UMR 825, Toulouse, France; Université de Toulouse, UPS, UMR 825, Toulouse, France.
Background:
In Parkinson's disease (PD), chronic pain is a common symptom which markedly affects the quality of life. Some physiological arguments proposed that Deep Brain Stimulation of the Subthalamic Nucleus (STN-DBS) could improve pain in PD.
Methods:
We investigated in 58 PD patients the effect of STN-DBS on pain using the short McGill Pain Questionnaire and other pain parameters such as the Bodily discomfort subscore of the Parkinson's disease Questionnaire 39 and the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale section II (UPDRS II) item 17.
Results:
All pain scores were significantly improved 12 months after STN-DBS. This improvement was not correlated with motor improvement, depression scores or L-Dopa reduction.
Conclusions:
STN-DBS induced a substantial beneficial effect on pain in PD, independently of its motor effects and mood status of patients.
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