Table 1

Ideal patient for pallidal or subthalamic nucleus surgery

MMSE, mini-mental state examination; UPDRS, unified Parkinson's disease rating scale.

  • Biological age less than 70 years

  • UPDRS “off” motor score 40–80/108

  • Suprathreshold dose levodopa improves score by 50%

  • Severe drug induced dyskinesias (pallidal surgery)

  • No falls when “on” (pull test)

  • MMSE >24/30

  • Good bulbar function (particularly in “on” state)

  • No significant depression

  • No drug induced hallucinosis or other significant psychotic symptoms