A meta-analysis of the effects of DBS on cognitive function in patients with advanced PD

Although deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been proven to enhance motor function in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, its potential adverse impact on cognitive function remains ambiguous. This study aimed to explore the effects of DBS on cognitive function in patients with advanced PD.

PubMed, EBSCO, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies on DBS and advanced PD from inception to January 2025. The main cognitive function assessment tools include but are not limited to Mini-MENTAL State Examination (MMSE) and Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (MDRS).

A total of 7 RCTs and 11 cohort studies were included. Analyses reveals no significant differences in MMSE (mean difference [MD] = -0.33, P = 0.19) and MDRS (MD = -0.75, P = 0.08) between the DBS group and the best medical therapy (BMT) group overall. However, the DBS group had significantly worse cognitive function after treatment than the BMT group in phonemic fluency (MD = -3.17, P = 0.03). No significant differences were observed between the groups in other domains, including information processing, memory, executive function, and visuospatial function.

DBS poses a potential risk to cognitive function in patients with advanced PD.