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Correlation between deep brain stimulation effects on freezing of gait and audio-spinal reflex
Éric Parmentier1, Victor De Pasqua2, Kévin D'Ostilio2
1Neurology Department, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Liège, Belgium; Cyclotron Research Centre, University of Liège, Belgium.
Objective:
A network of cortical, subcortical and brainstem structures might be involved in freezing of gait (FOG). Subthalamic nucleus (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) could modulate this network. The audio-spinal reflex (ASR), reduced in PD, but increased by treatment, can be used to further investigate that locomotor network. The aim of this study is to find whether a correlation exists between ASR and FOG in PD patients under DBS.
Methods:
In 14 PD patients with STN DBS and previous FOG, ASR was recorded, with DBS switched on and off. We also assessed FOG Questionnaire (FOGQ) and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) Part III.
Results:
Switching "on" DBS increased ASR amplitude (+ 33.2% with DBS ON, p = 0.048). We also found a significant inverse correlation between FOGQ and modulation of ASR by DBS (r = -0.59, r2 = 0.35, p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
This study shows that the incremental effect of DBS on ASR is greater in PD patients with less severe FOG.
Significance:
This study shows a link between electrophysiological and clinical data about gait control. It might contribute to better understand why some DBS patients report heavy FOG and others do not. ASR might be used to evaluate or maybe predict the effect of stimulation parameters changes on FOG.
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