Mood response to deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus in Parkinson's disease

J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2012 Winter;24(1):28-36. doi: 10.1176/appi.neuropsych.11030060.

Abstract

Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN DBS) in Parkinson's disease (PD) improves motor functioning but has variable effects on mood. Little is known about the relationship between electrode contact location and mood response. The authors identified the anatomical location of electrode contacts and measured mood response to stimulation with the Visual Analog Scale in 24 STN DBS PD patients. Participants reported greater positive mood and decreased anxiety and apathy with bilateral and unilateral stimulation. Left DBS improved mood more than right DBS. Right DBS-induced increase in positive mood was related to more medial and dorsal contact locations. These results highlight the functional heterogeneity of the STN.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Affect / physiology*
  • Aged
  • Deep Brain Stimulation / methods*
  • Female
  • Functional Laterality
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Mental Status Schedule
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Pain Measurement
  • Parkinson Disease / diagnostic imaging
  • Parkinson Disease / therapy*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Subthalamic Nucleus / physiology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed