Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation in Primary Meige Syndrome: A 1-Year Follow-Up Study

To investigate the efficacy of bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) in patients with Meige syndrome.

Fifteen consecutive patients who underwent STN-DBS at the Peking University People's Hospital between September 2017 and June 2018 were included in this study. The Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS) movement score and the BFMDRS disability score were obtained prior to surgery, and at specific time points after surgery. Patients' sleep status was also assessed before and after surgery.

The BFMDRS movement scores decreased from 15.3 ± 4.6 to 5.2 ± 6.2 after STN-DBS, with a mean improvement of 68.6% (p < 0.05). The BFMDRS disability scores were also significantly decreased, from 6.9 ± 3.3 to 3.5 ± 2.9, with a mean improvement of 51.7% (p < 0.05). The eye, mouth, speech, and swallowing movement scores also decreased significantly after STN-DBS compared to baseline (p < 0.05). The sleep quality of the patients was also improved after surgery.

These findings demonstrate that the STN is an effective brain target for the treatment of patients with Meige syndrome. STN-DBS was not only able to improve patients' motor symptoms, but also their sleep status.