Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 5, 2025
Targeting Neuronal Fiber Tracts for Deep Brain Stimulation Therapy Using Interactive, Patient-Specific Models
Published on: August 12, 2018
Subthalamic deep brain stimulation versus best medical treatment: a 12-year follow-up
Alain Maertens de Noordhout1, Micheline Mouchamps2, Jean-Michel Remacle2
1University Department of Neurology, Hôpital de la Citadelle, 4000, Liège, Belgium. al.maertens@chuliege.be.
Purpose:
Electrical stimulation of the sub-thalamic nucleus (STN-DBS) is well established to alleviate motor fluctuations in advanced Parkinson's disease but little is known about its very long-term efficacy.
Methods:
We followed over 12 years 15 parkinsonian patients having undergone STN-DBS and compared them to a matched group of 14 patients with best medical drug therapy. All had been considered as good candidates for surgery. They were allocated to each group depending on their own decision.
Results:
After 12 years, mortality rates were similar in both groups. In the DBS group, best "on" UPDRS III scores (on medications, on stimulation) remained significantly better and dyskinesia shorter and weaker than in the drug-treated group (on medication only). Yet, looking at independent life and quality of life (QoL) evaluated with PDQ39, no significant difference could be observed between groups at the end of follow-up, probably due to development of dopa- and stimulation-resistant motor and non-motor symptoms like falls, freezing, dementia, apathy and depression, the latter two more frequent in the DBS group.
Conclusion:
Drug- and DBS-resistant symptoms and signs occur more often after long disease evolution and in elder patients. It might be why differences in QoL between both groups no longer existed after twelve years as, compared to other studies, our patients were older at inclusion.
