Left-right differences in motor thresholds after stimulation of the globus pallidus before pallidotomy
- Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery, New York University Medical Center, Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, USA
- Dr Aleksandar Berić, Box 65, 301 E 17th Street, New York, NY 10003, USA.
- Received 14 February 1996
- Revised 6 January 1997
- Accepted 22 January 1997
Abstract
Left-right upper limb motor threshold differences were found after electrical stimulation of the globus pallidus administered as a neuroprotective measure to avoid lesioning of the internal capsule during stereotactic pallidotomy for treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Left sided stimulation resulted in lower thresholds in right handed patients compared with left handed patients. These differences were significant in women, but no significant differences were found in men. In patients undergoing bilateral pallidotomy, the stimulation produced more significant left-right motor threshold differences. In the absence of known sex-related anatomical left-right corticospinal tract differences, the variability was the result of spinal excitability modulations most likely related to handedness.
