Impact of simultaneous subthalamic and nigral stimulation on dysphagia in Parkinson's disease

Dysphagia is a frequent and highly relevant symptom in Parkinson's disease (PD) due to high associated morbidity and mortality. To compare the effect of simultaneous stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and substantia nigra (SNr) with conventional STN-stimulation on swallowing function in Parkinson's disease.

In this controlled, randomized, double-blind, cross-over clinical trial, 15 PD patients were assessed with DBS switched off (STIM OFF), STN-DBS, STN + SNr-DBS. Patients and 32 age-matched healthy controls were examined clinically and by flexible-endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) to evaluate the swallowing function. The primary endpoint was the assessment of residues, secondary endpoints were penetration/aspiration, leakage, retained pharyngeal secretions, drooling, and assessments of the patient's self-perception of swallowing on a visual analog scale.

Compared with healthy controls PD patients showed significantly more pharyngeal residues in STIM OFF and both DBS modes. Residues or aspiration events were found in 80% of the patients under STN-stimulation. Simultaneous STN + SNr-stimulation had no additional positive effect on objective dysphagia and self-reported swallowing function compared to STN-DBS.

Simultaneous STN + SNr-stimulation seems to have no additional beneficial effects on dysphagia when compared with conventional STN-stimulation, but did not deteriorate the swallowing function. If STN + SNr-stimulation is planned to be applied for the improvement of axial symptoms and gait disorders in PD patients, it can be considered safe in terms of dysphagia.