Assessment of Cognitive Functioning after Pallidotomy in Patients with Primary Dystonia

Stereotactic pallidotomy in the treatment of primary dystonia results in permanent damage to the posteroventral region of the internal globus pallidus. Lesions within the basal ganglia may change cognitive functioning. Subcortical structures interact with the frontal cortex, which plays an important role in cognition.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of stereotactic pallidotomy on cognitive function in patients with primary dystonia.

Thirty patients with primary dystonia who qualified for pallidotomy were tested 1-2 days before surgery, 2 days after surgery and a third time after about 6 months from the date of surgery. Cognitive functioning was assessed by the following tests: Benton visual short-term memory, auditory verbal learning test, trail making test, Stroop color word interference test and Wisconsin card sorting test.

Statistical analysis showed the deterioration of the auditory verbal learning process in the early postoperative period of patients with primary dystonia, but after 6 months there was a significant improvement. After pallidotomy there were no significant differences in the efficiency of short-term visual memory, verbal and visual-spatial working memory, psychomotor speed and executive functions.

Stereotactic pallidotomy used in the treatment of primary dystonia is a safe treatment for the cognitive functioning of patients.