Micro lesion effect of pallidal deepbrain stimulation for meige syndrome

Jiayu Liu1, Hu Ding1, Ke Xu1

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Peking University People's Hospital, 11Th Xizhimen South St., Beijing, 100044, China.

Scientific Reports
|November 21, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Microlesion effect (MLE) after globus pallidus interna deep brain stimulation (GPi-DBS) in Meige syndrome patients shows significant motor improvement. MLE magnitude correlates with long-term motor score gains, suggesting it

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Neurosurgery
  • Movement Disorders

Background:

  • Meige syndrome is a rare form of focal dystonia characterized by involuntary muscle contractions, primarily affecting the face and neck.
  • Deep brain stimulation (DBS) targeting the globus pallidus interna (GPi) is an established treatment for severe Meige syndrome.
  • The microlesion effect (MLE), a transient neurological deficit following brain lesioning or stimulation, has been observed in GPi-DBS but its specific impact on Meige syndrome requires further analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the occurrence and clinical significance of the microlesion effect (MLE) in the globus pallidus interna (GPi) following deep brain stimulation (DBS) in patients diagnosed with Meige syndrome.
  • To evaluate the short-term and long-term impact of MLE on motor symptom severity in Meige syndrome patients treated with GPi-DBS.
  • To determine if the characteristics of MLE can serve as a predictive factor for treatment outcomes in GPi-DBS for Meige syndrome.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 32 patients with primary Meige syndrome undergoing GPi-DBS was studied.
  • Clinical symptom severity was assessed using the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS-M) at baseline, 24 hours post-surgery, weekly for one month, and at 6 and 12 months postoperatively.
  • The presence, duration, and maximal improvement associated with MLE were recorded, and correlations with BFMDRS-M scores were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Twenty-seven out of 32 patients (84%) experienced MLE after GPi-DBS.
  • The maximal improvement in BFMDRS-M scores from MLE occurred at a mean of 35.9 hours postoperatively, with an average improvement of 49.35%.
  • At 12 months post-surgery, mean BFMDRS-M scores improved by 50.28%. A positive correlation was found between the magnitude of MLE and the motor score at 12 months (R²=0.335, p<0.05), but not between MLE duration and DBS improvement.

Conclusions:

  • The microlesion effect is a common occurrence following GPi-DBS in Meige syndrome patients and is associated with significant short-term motor symptom improvement.
  • The magnitude of the microlesion effect appears to be a predictive factor for long-term motor outcome in Meige syndrome patients treated with GPi-DBS.
  • These findings suggest that MLE may play a beneficial role in the overall efficacy of GPi-DBS for managing Meige syndrome symptoms.

Related Concept Videos