Deep brain stimulation for dystonia

Pallidal versus subthalamic deep brain stimulation for Meige syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Globus pallidus internus (GPi) and subthalamic nucleus (STN) are two common deep brain stimulation (DBS) targets. This meta-analysis was to compared the efficacy and safety of these two DBS targets for the treatment of Meige syndrome (MS).

Methods

A systematic search was performed using EMBASE, MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov to identify DBS trials for MS. Review Manager 5.3 was used to perform meta-analysis and the mean difference (MD) was analyzed and calculated with a random effect model. Pearson's correlation coefficients and meta-regression analyses were utilized to identify relevant predictive markers.

Results

Twenty trials involving 188 participants with GPi-DBS and 110 individuals with STN-DBS were eligible. Both groups showed improvement of the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale-Movement (BFMDRS-M) and Disability (BFMDRS-D) scores (BFMDRS-M: MD = 10.57 [7.74-13.41] for GPi-DBS, and MD = 8.59 [4.08-13.11] for STN-DBS; BFMDRS-D: MD = 5.96 [3.15-8.77] for GPi-DBS, and MD = 4.71 [1.38-8.04] for STN-DBS; all P < 0.001) from baseline to the final follow-up, while no notable disparity in improvement rates was observed between them. Stimulation-related complications occurrence was also similar between two groups (38.54 ± 24.07% vs. 43.17 ± 29.12%, P = 0.7594). Simultaneously, preoperative BFMDRS-M score and disease duration were positively connected with the relative changes in BFMDRS-M score at the final visit.

Conclusion

Both GPi-DBS and STN-DBS are effective MS therapies, with no differences in efficacy or the frequency of stimulation-related problems. Higher preoperative scores and longer disease duration probably predict greater improvement.

Deep brain stimulation in dystonia: The added value of neuropsychological assessments

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the internal globus pallidus (GPi) is a recognized treatment for medication-refractory dystonia. Problems in executive functions and social cognition can be part of dystonia phenotypes. The impact of pallidal DBS on cognition appears limited, but not all cognitive domains have been investigated yet. In the present study, we compare cognition before and after GPi DBS. Seventeen patients with dystonia of various aetiology completed pre- and post-DBS assessment (mean age 51 years; range 20-70 years). Neuropsychological assessment covered intelligence, verbal memory, attention and processing speed, executive functioning, social cognition, language and a depression questionnaire. Pre-DBS scores were compared with a healthy control group matched for age, gender and education, or with normative data. Patients were of average intelligence but performed significantly poorer than healthy peers on tests for planning and for information processing speed. Otherwise, they were cognitively unimpaired, including social cognition. DBS did not change the baseline neuropsychological scores. We confirmed previous reports of executive dysfunctions in adult dystonia patients with no significant influence of DBS on cognitive functioning in these patients. Pre-DBS neuropsychological assessments appear useful as they support clinicians in counselling their patients. Decisions about post-DBS neuropsychological evaluations should be made on a case-by-case basis.

Disparities in the treatment of movement disorders using deep brain stimulation

OBJECTIVE

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a well-established treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD) and essential tremor (ET). Although the prevalence of PD and ET can vary by sex and race, little is known about the accessibility of neurosurgical treatments for these conditions. In this nationwide study, the authors aimed to characterize trends in the use of DBS for the treatment of PD and ET and to identify disparities in the neurosurgical treatment of these diseases based on ethnic, racial, sex, insurance, income, hospital, and geographic factors.

METHODS

Using the dates January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2019, the authors queried the National Inpatient Sample database for all discharges with an ICD-9 or ICD-10 diagnosis of PD or ET. Among these discharges, the DBS rates were reported for each subgroup of race, ethnicity, and sex. To develop national estimates, all analyses were weighted.

RESULTS

Among 2,517,639 discharges with PD, 29,820 (1.2%) received DBS, and among 652,935 discharges with ET, 11,885 (1.8%) received DBS. Amid the PD cases, Black patients (n = 405 [0.2%], OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.12-0.20) were less likely than White patients (n = 23,975 [1.2%]) to receive DBS treatment, as were Hispanic patients (n = 1965 [1.1%], OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.65-0.88), whereas Asian/Pacific Islander patients (n = 855 [1.5%]) did not statistically differ from White patients. Amid the ET cases, Black (n = 230 [0.8%], OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.27-0.56), Hispanic (n = 215 [1.0%], OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.28-0.55), and Asian/Pacific Islander (n = 55 [1.0%], OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.28-0.93) patients were less likely than White patients (n = 10,440 [1.9%]) to receive DBS. Females were less likely than males to receive DBS for PD (OR 0.69, p < 0.0001) or ET (OR 0.70, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The authors describe significant racial and sex-based differences in the utilization of DBS for the treatment of PD and ET. Further research is required to ascertain the causes of these disparities, as well as any differences in access to specialty neurosurgical care and referral for neuromodulation approaches.

[Pain and cervical dystonia]

BACKGROUND

Dystonia is a hyperkinetic movement disorder that results in twisting, cramps and tremors due to sustained or intermittent muscle contractions. Cervical dystonia is the most common form of dystonia, in which the head, neck and/or shoulder areas are affected. In addition to these motor symptoms, pain and psychiatric symptoms are frequent in (cervical) dystonia.

OBJECTIVE

Description of the incidence and evaluation of pain in cervical dystonia, summary and discussion of treatment options and effects.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this review article the results in the scientific literature on pain in dystonia are summarized and discussed.

RESULTS

Compared to other forms of dystonia, pain occurs most frequently in patients with cervical dystonia. A large proportion of patients with cervical dystonia suffer from pain, which contributes most to impairment of the patient. The motor symptoms of dystonia are usually treated with botulinum toxin injections. These have a muscle relaxing effect and also relieve pain. The study situation on the occurrence and treatment of pain in other forms of dystonia is so far very limited. Pain can dominate the clinical picture in patients with cervical dystonia. Evaluation of pain in cervical dystonia can be performed using standardized questionnaires.

CONCLUSION

It is important to ask patients with cervical dystonia about pain and to consider it in treatment planning and evaluation. Vice versa, if pain is present the possibility of a causative dystonia should also be considered. For pain assessment there are some newly developed questionnaires to assess pain in a standardized way in patients with dystonia. Further research is needed to better understand the pathomechanisms of pain in dystonia.

MRI-Guided Focused Ultrasound for the Treatment of Dystonia: A Narrative Review

Contemporary surgical management of dystonia includes neuromodulation via deep brain stimulation (DBS) or ablative techniques such as radiofrequency (RF) ablation. MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is an emerging modality that uses high-intensity ultrasound to precisely ablate targets in the brain; this is incisionless, potentially avoiding the surgical risks of a burr hole and transcortical tract to reach the anatomical target. There is some evidence of efficacy in essential tremor and Parkinson's disease (PD), but, to date, there is no study aggregating the evidence of MRgFUS in dystonia. In this narrative review, we searched Medline, Embase, CINAHL, EBSCO, and ClinicalTrials.gov for primary studies and clinical trials on MRgFUS in the treatment of dystonia. Data were analyzed concerning dystonia phenotype, reported outcomes, and complications. PD-related dystonia was also included within the scope of the review. Using our search criteria, six articles on the use of MRgFUS in adult dystonia and three articles on the use of FUS in dystonia in PD were included. Four trials on the use of FUS in dystonia were also found on ClinicalTrials.gov, one of which was completed in December 2013. All included studies showed evidence of symptomatic improvement, mostly in focal hand dystonia; improvements were also found in dystonia-associated tremor, cervicobrachial dystonia, and dystonia-associated chronic neuropathic pain as well as PD-related dystonia. Reported complications included transient neurological deficits and persistent arm pain in one study. However, the evidence is limited to level-4 case series at present. MRgFUS is an emerging modality that appears to be safe and effective, particularly in focal hand dystonia, without major adverse effects. However, the quality of evidence is low at present, and long-term outcomes are unknown. High-quality prospective studies comparing MRgFUS to other surgical techniques will be useful in determining its role in the management of dystonia.

Intraoperative physiology augments atlas-based data in awake deep brain stimulation

BACKGROUND

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is commonly performed with patients awake to perform intraoperative microelectrode recordings and/or macrostimulation testing to guide final electrode placement. Supplemental information from atlas-based databases derived from prior patient data and visualised as efficacy heat maps transformed and overlaid onto preoperative MRIs can be used to guide preoperative target planning and intraoperative final positioning. Our quantitative analysis of intraoperative testing and corresponding changes made to final electrode positioning aims to highlight the value of intraoperative neurophysiological testing paired with image-based data to optimise final electrode positioning in a large patient cohort.

METHODS

Data from 451 patients with movement disorders treated with 822 individual DBS leads at a single institution from 2011 to 2021 were included. Atlas-based data was used to guide surgical targeting. Intraoperative testing data and coordinate data were retrospectively obtained from a large patient database. Medical records were reviewed to obtain active contact usage and neurologist-defined outcomes at 1 year.

RESULTS

Microelectrode recording firing profiles differ per track, per target and inform the locations where macrostimulation testing is performed. Macrostimulation performance correlates with the final electrode track chosen. Centroids of atlas-based efficacy heat maps per target were close in proximity to and may predict active contact usage at 1 year. Overall, patient outcomes at 1 year were improved for patients with better macrostimulation response.

CONCLUSIONS

Atlas-based imaging data is beneficial for target planning and intraoperative guidance, and in conjunction with intraoperative neurophysiological testing during awake DBS can be used to individualize and optimise final electrode positioning, resulting in favourable outcomes.

Deep brain stimulation for chronic pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has shown promise in effectively treating chronic pain. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of DBS in this context.

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature search using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, following the PRISMA guidelines. A well-constructed search strategy was utilized. Our literature search identified two groups of subjects: one group underwent DBS specifically for chronic pain treatment (DBS-P), while the second group received DBS for other indications (DBS-O), such as Parkinson's disease or dystonia, with pain perception investigated as a secondary outcome in this population. Meta-analysis was performed using R version 4.2.3 software. Heterogeneity was assessed using the tau^2 and I^2 indices, and Cochran's Q-test was conducted.

Results

The analysis included 966 patients in 43 original research studies with chronic pain who underwent DBS (340 for DBS-P and 625 for DBS-O). Subgroup analysis revealed that DBS-P exhibited a significant effect on chronic pain relief, with a standardized mean difference (SMD) of 1.65 and a 95% confidence interval (CI) of [1.31; 2.00]. Significant heterogeneity was observed among the studies, with an I^2 value of 85.8%. However, no significant difference was found between DBS-P and DBS-O subgroups. Subgroup analyses based on study design, age, pain diseases, and brain targets demonstrated varying levels of evidence for the effectiveness of DBS across different subgroups. Additionally, meta-regression analyses showed no significant relationship between age or pain duration and DBS effectiveness for chronic pain.

Conclusion

These findings significantly contribute to the expanding body of knowledge regarding the utility of DBS in the management of chronic pain. The study underscores the importance of conducting further research to enhance treatment outcomes and elucidate patient-specific factors that are associated with treatment response.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=428442, identifier CRD42023428442.

PAllidal versus SubThalamic deep brain Stimulation for Cervical Dystonia (PASTS-CD): study protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been validated as a safe and effective treatment for refractory cervical dystonia (CD). Globus pallidus internus (GPi) and subthalamic nucleus (STN) are the two main stimulating targets. However, there has been no prospective study to clarify which target is the better DBS candidate for CD. The objective of this trial is to compare directly the efficacy and safety of GPi-DBS and STN-DBS, thereby instructing the selection of DBS target in clinical practice.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This multicentre, prospective, randomised, controlled study plans to enrol 98 refractory CD patients. Eligible CD patients will be randomly allocated to GPi-DBS group or STN-DBS group, with the DBS electrodes implanted into the posteroventral portion of GPi or the dorsolateral portion of STN, respectively. The primary outcome will be the improvement of symptomatic severity, measured by the changes in the Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS) severity subscale and the Tsui scale at 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after surgery. The secondary outcomes include the improvement of the TWSTRS-disability subscale, TWSTRS-pain subscale, quality of life, mental and cognitive condition, as well as the differences in stimulation parameters and adverse effects. In addition, this study intends to identify certain predictors of DBS efficacy for CD.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The trial has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Chinese PLA General Hospital (S2022-613-01). The results of this study will be published in international peer-reviewed journals and shared in professional medical conferences.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT05715138.

Deep Brain Stimulation Before Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion for a Patient With Cervical Dystonia and Cervical Myelopathy: A Case Report

Cervical dystonia with concurrent cervical myelopathy is a challenging pathology that requires thoughtful management. A 46-year-old female was referred to our center with this presentation. We elected to perform bilateral globus pallidus internus deep brain stimulation (DBS-GPi) prior to C5 to C7 anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) to avoid the potential for dystonic movements to negatively impact cervical fusion. The patient was followed up at three months post C5 to C7 ACDF and nine months post DBS-GPi with complete control of tremor and no radiographic evidence of hardware loosening or malalignment. Though this strategy was successful in treating both our patient's cervical myelopathy and cervical dystonia, larger studies need to be conducted to optimize the treatment of patients presenting with these concurrent pathologies.

Neurologists' preferences for device-aided therapy for advanced Parkinson's disease in Japan

OBJECTIVE

This study measures the relative preference for attributes of device-aided therapies (DATs) for advanced Parkinson's Disease (PD) from the perspective of Japanese neurologists.

METHODS

Attributes and levels were elicited based on literature and interviews with certified neurologists experienced with DATs. An online survey including a discrete choice experiment (DCE) was developed, pilot tested, and distributed through an online panel to neurologists treating advanced PD patients. Participants were asked to choose treatments among several choice sets of two hypothetical DATs described only by the attributes, or no DAT (continuing oral treatment). A conditional logit model using the Bayesian framework was developed to estimate the marginal utilities of attributes' levels, and the relative utility of treatments available to Japanese advanced PD patients or being developed in Japan was assessed.

RESULTS

The DCE survey completed by 308 neurologists showed that the attributes with the greatest influence on DAT selection were surgery requirement (relative importance of 28%), average increase in the duration of daily "on" time without dyskinesia which affects daily activities (15%), average change in cognitive function related to treatment introduction (15%), device management frequency (14%), average number of pills of oral PD medication after treatment introduction (13%), average influence of treatment on symptoms of depression (12%), and type of device (large/small) (3%). All attributes significantly influenced respondents' choices, except for external device type. Experience with DATs did not influence the directions of preferences. Out of treatment profiles representing DATs, continuous subcutaneous infusion of levodopa-carbidopa had a higher preference score than levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel infusion and deep brain stimulation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that Japanese neurologists would prefer a DAT without surgery requirement. Other factors related to efficacy, safety, and administration mode have a significant, but a smaller influence on prescription choices.

Neuromodulation in Dystonia - Harnessing the Network

Adult-onset isolated focal dystonia (AOIFD) is a network disorder characterised by abnormalities of sensory processing and motor control. These network abnormalities give rise to both the phenomenology of dystonia and the epiphenomena of altered plasticity and loss of intracortical inhibition. Existing modalities of deep brain stimulation effectively modulate parts of this network but are limited both in terms of targets and invasiveness. Novel approaches using a variety of non-invasive neuromodulation techniques including transcranial stimulation and peripheral stimulation present an interesting alternative approach and may, in conjunction with rehabilitative strategies, have a role in tailored therapies targeting the underlying network abnormality behind AOIFD.

Deep brain stimulation for neurological disorders: a protocol for a systematic review with meta-analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis of randomised clinical trials

BACKGROUND

Deep brain stimulation has been used since the 1980s for neurological disorders and the USA and Europe have now approved it for Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, dystonia, and epilepsy. Previous reviews have assessed the effects of deep brain stimulation on different neurological disorders. These reviews all had methodological limitations.

METHODS

This is a protocol for a systematic review based on searches of major medical databases (e.g. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL) and clinical trial registries. Two review authors will independently extract data and conduct risk of bias assessment. We will include published and unpublished randomised clinical trial comparing deep brain stimulation versus no intervention, usual care, sham stimulation, medical treatment, or resective surgery for Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, dystonia, or epilepsy. The effects of deep brain stimulation will be analysed separately for each of the different diagnoses. Primary outcomes will be all-cause mortality, disease-specific symptoms, and serious adverse events. Secondary outcomes will be quality of life, depressive symptoms, executive functioning, level of functioning, and non-serious adverse events. Data will be analysed using fixed-effect and random-effects meta-analyses and Trial Sequential Analysis. Risk of bias will be assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool-version 2, an eight-step procedure to assess if the thresholds for clinical significance are crossed, and the certainty of the evidence will be assessed by Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE).

DISCUSSION

Deep brain stimulation is increasingly being used for different neurological diseases, and the effects are unclear based on previous evidence. There is a need for a comprehensive systematic review of the current evidence. This review will provide the necessary background for weighing the benefits against the harms when assessing deep brain stimulation as intervention for individual neurological disorders.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO 306,556.

Deep brain-machine interfaces: sensing and modulating the human deep brain

Different from conventional brain-machine interfaces that focus more on decoding the cerebral cortex, deep brain-machine interfaces enable interactions between external machines and deep brain structures. They sense and modulate deep brain neural activities, aiming at function restoration, device control and therapeutic improvements. In this article, we provide an overview of multiple deep brain recording and stimulation techniques that can serve as deep brain-machine interfaces. We highlight two widely used interface technologies, namely deep brain stimulation and stereotactic electroencephalography, for technical trends, clinical applications and brain connectivity research. We discuss the potential to develop closed-loop deep brain-machine interfaces and achieve more effective and applicable systems for the treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Rescue procedure for isolated dystonia after the secondary failure of globus pallidus internus deep brain stimulation

Introduction

Globus pallidus internus (GPi) deep brain stimulation (DBS) is widely used in patients with dystonia. However, 10–20% of patients receive insufficient benefits. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the effectiveness of bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) DBS along with unilateral posteroventral pallidotomy (PVP) in patients with dystonia who experienced unsatisfactory GPi-DBS and to address the reported rescue procedures after suboptimal DBS or lesion surgery in dystonia patients.

Methods

Six patients with isolated dystonia who had previously undergone bilateral GPi-DBS with suboptimal improvement were included. Standardized assessments of dystonia using the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS) and quality of life using SF-36 were evaluated before surgery and 1, 6 months, and last follow-up (LFU) after surgery. STN bilateral OFF (bi-OFF), unilateral ON (uni-ON), and bilateral ON (bi-ON) states were recorded at LFU. Specific items were used to find publications published before 10 April 2022 regarding rescue procedures after suboptimal DBS or lesion surgery in patients with dystonia for reference. Eleven original studies including case reports/series were identified for discussion.

Results

Substantial clinical benefits were achieved in all six patients. Significant amelioration was achieved during the 1-month (6.5 ± 7.45; p = 0.0049), 6-month (5.67 ± 6.3; p = 0.0056) follow-ups, and at LFU (4.67 ± 4.72; p = 0.0094) when compared with the baseline (LFU of GPi DBS with on status) (17.33 ± 11.79) assessed by BFMDRS. The percentage of improvement reached 70.6, 74.67, and 77.05%, respectively. At LFU, significant differences were found between the stimulation bi-OFF and uni-ON (11.08 ± 8.38 vs. 9 ± 8.52, p = 0.0191), and between the stimulation bi-OFF and bi-ON (11.08 ± 8.38 vs. 4.67 ± 4.72, p = 0.0164). Trends depicting a better improvement in stimulation bi-ON compared with uni-ON (4.67 ± 4.72 vs. 9 ± 8.52, p = 0.0538) were observed.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that bilateral STN-DBS plus unilateral PVP may be an effective rescue procedure for patients with isolated dystonia who experienced suboptimal movement improvement following GPi-DBS. However, given the heterogeneity of patients and the small sample size, these findings should be interpreted with caution.

Status Dystonicus with Atypical Presentation in Developmentally Delay Child: A Case Report

Status dystonicus is characterised by involuntary sustained or intermittent muscle contractions of muscles causing repetitive twisting movements, abnormal postures of the body, or both is a rare but life-threatening movement disorder. Early diagnosis and management of status dystonicus prevent serious complications. We report a 2 years old previously developmental delay diagnosed girl who presented with generalised contractions of the whole body. Tightening of limbs is aggravated by touching her backside which is a very unique feature. Dystonia is associated with severe sweating and was confused with a seizure event. The patient was treated with midazolam, clonidine, phenytoin, gabapentin, pyridoxine, baclofen, and trihexyphenidyl. She was admitted to the intensive care unit for monitoring. The patient partially recovered after 10 days of treatment.

Keywords

aspiration; children; dystonia; epilepsy; pneumonia.

Stimulation-induced changes at the electrode-tissue interface and their influence on deep brain stimulation

OBJECTIVE

During deep brain stimulation (DBS) the electrode-tissue interface forms a critical path between device and brain tissue. Although changes in the electrical double layer and glial scar can impact stimulation efficacy, the effects of chronic DBS on the electrode-tissue interface have not yet been established.

APPROACH

In this study, we characterised the electrode-tissue interface surrounding chronically implanted DBS electrodes in rats and compared the impedance and histological properties at the electrode interface in animals that received daily stimulation and in those where no stimulation was applied, up to eight weeks post-surgery. A computational model was developed based on the experimental data, which allowed the dispersive electrical properties of the surrounding encapsulation tissue to be estimated. The model was then used to study the effect of stimulation-induced changes in the electrode-tissue interface on the electric field and neural activation during voltage- and current-controlled stimulation.

MAIN RESULTS

Incorporating the observed changes in simulations in silico, we estimated the frequency-dependent dielectric properties of the electrical double layer and surrounding encapsulation tissue. Through simulations we show how stimulation-induced changes in the properties of the electrode-tissue interface influence the electric field and alter neural activation during voltage-controlled stimulation. A substantial increase in the number of stimulated collaterals, and their distance from the electrode, was observed during voltage-controlled stimulation with stimulated ETI properties. In vitro examination of stimulated electrodes confirmed that high frequency stimulation leads to desorption of proteins at the electrode interface, with a concomitant reduction in impedance.

SIGNIFICANCE

The demonstration of stimulation-induced changes in the electrode-tissue interface has important implications for future DBS systems including closed-loop systems where the applied stimulation may change over time. Understanding these changes is particularly important for systems incorporating simultaneous stimulation and sensing, which interact dynamically with brain networks.

An intronic GNAO1 variant leading to in-frame insertion cause movement disorder controlled by deep brain stimulation

GNAO1 variants are associated with a wide range of neurodevelopmental disorders including epileptic encephalopathies and movement disorders. It has been reported that some GNAO1 variants are associated with movement disorders, and the 207-246 amino acid region was proposed as a mutational hotspot. Here, we report an intronic variant (NM_020988.3:c.724-8G>A) in GNAO1 in a Japanese girl who showed mild developmental delay and movement disorders including dystonia and myoclonus. Her movement disorders were improved by deep brain stimulation treatment as previously reported. This variant has been recurrently reported in four patients and was transmitted from her mother who possessed the variant as low-prevalent mosaicism. Using RNA extracted from lymphoblastoid cells derived from the patient, we demonstrated that the variant caused abnormal splicing of in-frame 6-bp intronic retention, leading to 2 amino acid insertion (p.Thr241_Asn242insProGln). Immunoblotting and immunostaining using WT and mutant GNAO1 vectors showed no significant differences in protein expression levels, but the cellular localization pattern of this mutant was partially shifted to the cytoplasm whereas WT was exclusively localized in the cellular membrane. Our report first clarified abnormal splicing and resulting mutant protein caused by the c.724-8G>A variant.

Deep brain stimulation for chorea-acanthocytosis: a systematic review

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a reversible treatment for chorea-acanthocytosis (ChAc). Its safety and efficacy remain elusive due to the low prevalence of ChAc. We aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of DBS for ChAc by systematically reviewing literature through PubMed and EMBASE. Inclusion criteria were reports on the efficacy or safety of DBS for ChAc and English language articles, and exclusion criteria were other movement disorders, non-human subjects, and studies without original data. Most studies were published as case reports, and we therefore pooled these cases in one cohort. Twenty studies with 34 patients were included. The mean age of symptom onset was 29.3 years (range, 17-48). The median follow-up was 12 months (range, 2-84). Twenty-nine patients underwent GPi-DBS, two received STN-DBS, and one underwent Vop-DBS. Electrodes were implanted into the ventralis oralis complex of the thalamus and the pallidal in two patients. Symptoms seemed to be easier relieved in chorea (88.5%) and dystonia (76.9%) but dysarthria of most patients (85.7%) was no response after DBS. The Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale-Motor Score was used to assess the efficacy of DBS in 25 patients; the mean score decreased from 43.2 to 22.3 and the median improvement rate was 46.7%. Of 24 patients with data on adverse events, complications occurred in 9 patients (37.5%; mostly transient and mild events). DBS is a promising treatment for ChAc with satisfactory efficacy and safety based on the review. Pallidal and thalamic DBS have been applied in ChAc; GPi-DBS seems to be more widely used.

Deep Brain Stimulation Treating Dystonia: A Systematic Review of Targets, Body Distributions and Etiology Classifications

Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a typical intervention treating drug-refractory dystonia. Currently, the selection of the better target, the GPi or STN, is debatable. The outcomes of DBS treating dystonia classified by body distribution and etiology is also a popular question.

Objective: To comprehensively compare the efficacy, quality of life, mood, and adverse effects (AEs) of GPi-DBS vs. STN-DBS in dystonia as well as in specific types of dystonia classified by body distribution and etiology.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were searched to identify studies of GPi-DBS and STN-DBS in populations with dystonia. The efficacy, quality of life, mood, and adverse effects were quantitatively compared. Meta-regression analyses were also performed. This analysis has been registered in PROSPERO under the number CRD42020146145.

Results: Thirty five studies were included in the main analysis, in which 319 patients underwent GPI-DBS and 113 patients underwent STN-DBS. The average follow-up duration was 12.48 months (range, 3–49 months). The GPI and STN groups were equivalent in terms of efficacy, quality of life, mood, and occurrence of AEs. The focal group demonstrated significantly better disability symptom improvement (P = 0.012) than the segmental and generalized groups but showed less SF-36 enhancement than the segmental group (P < 0.001). The primary groups exhibited significantly better movement and disability symptom improvements than the secondary non-hereditary group (P < 0.005), which demonstrated only disability symptom improvement compared with the secondary hereditary group (P < 0.005). The primary hereditary and idiopathic groups had a significantly lower frequency of AEs than the secondary non-hereditary group (P < 0.005). The correlation between disability symptom improvement and movement symptom improvement was also significant (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: GPi-DBS and STN-DBS were both safe and resulted in excellent improvement in efficacy and quality of life in patients with dystonia. Compared with patients with segmental dystonia, patients with focal dystonia demonstrated better improvement in dystonia symptoms but less enhancement of quality of life. Those with primary dystonia had a better response to DBS in terms of efficacy than those with secondary dystonia. Patients who exhibit a significant improvement in movement symptoms might also exhibit excellent improvement in disability symptoms.

Improvement of Non-motor Symptoms and Quality of Life After Deep Brain Stimulation for Refractory Dystonia: A 1-Year Follow-Up

Introduction: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a treatment option for refractory dystonia's motor symptoms, while its non-motor symptoms (NMS) have been less systematically assessed. We aimed to describe the effects of DBS on NMS in refractory generalized inherited/idiopathic dystonia prospectively.

Methods: We evaluated patients before and 1 year after DBS surgery and applied the following scales: Burke–Fahn–Marsden Rating Scale (BFMRS), NMS Scale for Parkinson's Disease (NMSS-PD), Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-8, short-form Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI), and short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ).

Results: Eleven patients (38.35 ± 11.30 years) underwent surgery, all with generalized dystonia. Motor BFMRS subscore was 64.36 ± 22.94 at baseline and 33.55 ± 17.44 1 year after DBS surgery (47.9% improvement, p = 0.003). NMSS-PD had a significant change 12 months after DBS, from 70.91 ± 59.07 to 37.18 ± 55.05 (47.5% improvement, p = 0.013). NMS changes were mainly driven by changes in the gastrointestinal (p = 0.041) and miscellaneous domains (p = 0.012). Seven patients reported chronic pain before DBS and four after it. BPI's severity and interference scores were 4.61 ± 2.84 and 4.12 ± 2.67, respectively, before surgery, and 2.79 ± 2.31 (0.00–6.25) and 1.12 ± 1.32 (0.00–3.00) after, reflecting a significant improvement (p = 0.043 and p = 0.028, respectively). NPSI score was 15.29 ± 13.94 before, while it was reduced to 2.29 ± 2.98 afterward (p = 0.028). MPQ's total score was 9.00 ± 3.32 before DBS, achieving 2.71 ± 2.93 after (p = 0.028).

Conclusions: DBS improves NMS in generalized inherited/idiopathic dystonia, including chronic pain.

Differential expression of striatal proteins in a mouse model of DOPA-responsive dystonia reveals shared mechanisms among dystonic disorders

Dystonia is characterized by involuntary muscle contractions that cause debilitating twisting movements and postures. Although dysfunction of the basal ganglia, a brain region that mediates movement, is implicated in many forms of dystonia, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. The inherited metabolic disorder DOPA-responsive dystonia is considered a prototype for understanding basal ganglia dysfunction in dystonia because it is caused by mutations in genes necessary for the synthesis of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which mediates the activity of the basal ganglia. Therefore, to reveal abnormal striatal cellular processes and pathways implicated in dystonia, we used an unbiased proteomic approach in a knockin mouse model of DOPA-responsive dystonia, a model in which the striatum is known to play a central role in the expression of dystonia. Fifty-seven of the 1805 proteins identified were differentially regulated in DOPA-responsive dystonia mice compared to control mice. Most differentially regulated proteins were associated with gene ontology terms that implicated either mitochondrial or synaptic dysfunction whereby proteins associated with mitochondrial function were generally over-represented and proteins associated with synaptic function were largely under-represented. Remarkably, nearly 20% of the differentially regulated striatal proteins identified in our screen are associated with pathogenic variants that cause inherited disorders with dystonia as a sign in humans suggesting shared mechanisms across many different forms of dystonia.

SLC25A42-associated mitochondrial encephalomyopathy: Report of additional founder cases and functional characterization of a novel deletion

SLC25A42 is the main transporter of coenzyme A (CoA) into mitochondria. To date, 15 individuals have been reported to have one of two bi-allelic homozygous missense variants in the SLC25A42 as the cause of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, of which 14 of them were of Saudi origin and share the same founder variant, c.871A > G:p.Asn291Asp. The other subject was of German origin with a variant at canonical splice site, c.380 + 2 T > A. Here, we describe the clinical manifestations and the disease course in additional six Saudi patients from four unrelated consanguineous families. While five patients have the Saudi founder p.Asn291Asp variant, one subject has a novel deletion. Functional analyses on fibroblasts obtained from this patient revealed that the deletion causes significant decrease in mitochondrial oxygen consumption and ATP production compared to healthy individuals. Moreover, extracellular acidification rate revealed significantly reduced glycolysis, glycolytic capacity, and glycolytic reserve as compared to control individuals. There were no changes in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content of patient fibroblasts. Immunoblotting experiments revealed significantly diminished protein expression due to the deletion. In conclusion, we report additional patients with SLC25A42-associated mitochondrial encephalomyopathy. Our study expands the molecular spectrum of this condition and provides further evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction as a central cause of pathology. We therefore propose that this disorder should be included in the differential diagnosis of any patient with an unexplained motor and speech delay, recurrent encephalopathy with metabolic acidosis, intermittent or persistent dystonia, lactic acidosis, basal ganglia lesions and, especially, of Arab ethnicity. Finally, deep brain stimulation should be considered in the management of patients with life altering dystonia.

Globus Pallidus Internus Deep Brain Stimulation for Dystonic Opisthotonus in Adult-Onset Dystonia: A Personalized Approach

Introduction

Dystonic opisthotonus is defined as a backward arching of the neck and trunk, which ranges in severity from mild backward jerks to life-threatening prolonged severe muscular spasms. It can be associated with generalized dystonic syndromes or, rarely, present as a form of axial truncal dystonia. The etiologies vary from idiopathic, genetic, tardive, hereditary-degenerative, or associated with parkinsonism. We report clinical cases of dystonic opisthotonus associated with adult-onset dystonic syndromes, that benefitted from globus pallidus internus (GPi) deep brain stimulation (DBS).

Methods

Clinical data from patients with dystonic syndromes who underwent comprehensive medical review, multidisciplinary assessment, and tailored medical and neurosurgical managements were prospectively analyzed. Quantification of dystonia severity pre- and postoperatively was performed using the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale and quantification of overall pain severity was performed using the Visual Analog Scale.

Results

Three male patients, with age of onset of the dystonic symptoms ranging from 32 to 51 years old, were included. Tardive dystonia, adult-onset dystonia-parkinsonism and adult-onset idiopathic axial dystonia were the etiologies identified. Clinical investigation and management were tailored according to the complexity of the individual presentations. Although they shared common clinical features of adult-onset dystonia, disabling dystonic opisthotonus, refractory to medical management, was the main indication for GPi-DBS in all patients presented. The severity of axial dystonia ranged from disturbance of daily function to life-threatening truncal distortion. All three patients underwent bilateral GPi DBS at a mean age of 52 years (range 48–55 years), after mean duration of symptoms prior to DBS of 10.7 years (range 4–16 years). All patients showed a rapid and sustained clinical improvement of their symptoms, notably of the dystonic opisthotonos, at postoperative follow-up ranging from 20 to 175 months. In some, the ability to resume activities of daily living and reintegration into the society was remarkable.

Conclusion

Adult-onset dystonic syndromes predominantly presenting with dystonic opisthotonus are relatively rare. The specific nature of dystonic opisthotonus remains a treatment challenge, and thorough investigation of this highly disabling condition with varying etiologies is often necessary. Although patients may be refractory to medical management and botulinum toxin injection, Globus pallidus stimulation timed and tailored provided symptomatic control in this cohort and may be considered in other carefully selected cases.

Botulinum toxin type A versus anticholinergics for cervical dystonia

BACKGROUND

This is an update of a Cochrane Review first published in 2005. Cervical dystonia is the most common form of focal dystonia and is a highly disabling movement disorder, characterised by involuntary, usually painful, head posturing. Currently, botulinum toxin type A (BtA) is considered the first line therapy for this condition. Before BtA, anticholinergics were the most widely accepted treatment.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of BtA versus anticholinergic drugs in adults with cervical dystonia.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Movement Disorders' Trials Register to June 2003, screened reference lists of articles and conference proceedings to September 2018, and searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and Embase, with no language restrictions, to July 2020.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Double-blind, parallel, randomised trials (RCTs) of BtA versus anticholinergic drugs in adults with cervical dystonia.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently assessed records, selected included studies, extracted data using a paper pro forma, and evaluated the risk of bias and quality of the evidence. We resolved disagreements by consensus or by consulting a third review author. If enough data had been available, we were to perform meta-analyses using a random-effects model for the comparison of BtA versus anticholinergic drugs to estimate pooled effects and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The primary efficacy outcome was improvement in cervical dystonia-specific impairment. The primary safety outcome was the proportion of participants with any adverse event.

MAIN RESULTS

We included one RCT of moderate overall risk of bias (as multiple domains were at unclear risk of bias), which included 66 BtA-naive participants with cervical dystonia. Two doses of BtA (Dysport; week 0 and 8; mean dose 262 to 292 U) were compared with daily trihexyphenidyl (up to 24 mg daily). The trial was sponsored by the BtA producer. BtA reduced cervical dystonia severity by an average of 2.5 points (95% CI 0.68 to 4.32) on the Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS) severity subscale 12 weeks after injection, compared to trihexyphenidyl. More participants reported adverse events in the trihexyphenidyl treatment group (76 events), compared with the BtA group (31 events); however, the difference in dropouts due to adverse events was inconclusive between groups. There was a decreased risk of dry mouth, and memory problems with BtA, but the differences were inconclusive between groups for the other reported side effects (blurred vision, dizziness, depression, fatigue, pain at injection site, dysphagia, and neck weakness).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We found very low-certainty evidence that BtA is more effective, better tolerated, and safer than trihexyphenidyl. We found no information on a dose-response relationship with BtA, differences between BtA formulations or different anticholinergics, the utility of electromyography-guided injections, or the duration of treatment effect.

Parkinson's Disease Drug Development Since 1999: A Story of Repurposing and Relative Success

Background:

A global overview of drug development programs in Parkinson’s disease over the last few decades is lacking, while such programs are challenging given the multifaceted and heterogeneous nature of the disease.

Objective:

To indirectly assess drug development programs in Parkinson’s disease, exploring some factors associated with compound attrition at different trial phases.

Methods:

We assessed all Parkinson’s disease trials in the WHO trials portal, from inception (1999) to September 2019. Independent authors selected trials and extracted data. The success rate was the number of compounds that progressed to the next drug development phase divided by the number of compounds in that phase.

Results:

Overall, 357 trials (studying 152 compounds) fulfilled our inclusion criteria, with 62 (17.3%) phase 1 trials, 135 (37.8%) phase 2 trials, 85 (23.8%) phase 3 trials, and 53 (14.8%) phase 4 trials. The success rate was 42.4% from phase 2 to 3. Original compounds received regulatory approval by the FDA in 21.4% of cases, compared with 6.7% of repurposed compounds, representing an overall success rate of 14.9%. We found 172 trials (48.2%) conducted for repurposing previously licensed compounds. These figures were approximately the same regarding approval by the EMA. Most compounds were approved to treat parkinsonism and motor fluctuations.

Conclusion:

We found a moderate-to-high success rate in all phases of drug development. This was largely based on the success of original compounds, despite almost half of the identified trials attempting compound repurposing.

The Dystonia Coalition: A Multicenter Network for Clinical and Translational Studies

Dystonia is a movement disorder characterized by sustained or intermittent muscle contractions causing abnormal postures, repetitive movements, or both. Research in dystonia has been challenged by several factors. First, dystonia is uncommon. Dystonia is not a single disorder but a family of heterogenous disorders with varied clinical manifestations and different causes. The different subtypes may be seen by providers in different clinical specialties including neurology, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, and others. These issues have made it difficult for any single center to recruit large numbers of subjects with specific types of dystonia for research studies in a timely manner. The Dystonia Coalition is a consortium of investigators that was established to address these challenges. Since 2009, the Dystonia Coalition has encouraged collaboration by engaging 56 sites across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Its emphasis on collaboration has facilitated establishment of international consensus for the definition and classification of all dystonias, diagnostic criteria for specific subtypes of dystonia, standardized evaluation strategies, development of clinimetrically sound measurement tools, and large multicenter studies that document the phenotypic heterogeneity and evolution of specific types of dystonia.

Botulinum toxin type A therapy for hemifacial spasm

BACKGROUND

This is an update of a Cochrane Review, first published in 2005. Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is characterised by unilateral, involuntary contractions of the muscles innervated by the facial nerve. It is a chronic disorder, and spontaneous recovery is very rare. The two treatments routinely available are microvascular decompression and intramuscular injections with botulinum toxin type A (BtA).

OBJECTIVES

To compare the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of BtA versus placebo in people with HFS.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, reference lists of articles, and conference proceedings in July 2020. We ran the electronic database search, with no language restrictions, in July 2020.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Double-blind, parallel, randomised, placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) of BtA versus placebo in adults with HFS.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently assessed records. We planned to select included studies, extract data using a paper pro forma, and evaluate the risk of bias. We resolved disagreements by consensus, or by consulting a third review author. We planned to perform meta-analyses. The primary efficacy outcome was HFS-specific improvement. The primary safety outcome was the proportion of participants with any adverse event.

MAIN RESULTS

We found no parallel-group randomised controlled trials comparing BtA and placebo in HFS.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We did not find any randomised trials that evaluated the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin type A in people with hemifacial spasm, so we are unable to draw any conclusions. Observational data show a strong association between BtA treatment and symptom improvement, and a favourable safety profile. While it is unlikely that future placebo-controlled RCTs will evaluate absolute efficacy and safety, they should address relevant questions for both people with HFS (such as long-term effects, quality of life, and other patient-reported outcomes), and clinicians (such as relative effectiveness of different BtA formulations and schemes of treatment) to better guide clinical practice.).

Botulinum toxin type A therapy for cervical dystonia

BACKGROUND

This is an update of a Cochrane Review first published in 2005. Cervical dystonia is the most common form of focal dystonia, and is a highly disabling movement disorder, characterised by involuntary, usually painful, head posturing. Currently, botulinum toxin type A (BtA) is considered the first line therapy for this condition.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of BtA versus placebo, in people with cervical dystonia.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched Cochrane Movement Disorders' Trials Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, reference lists of articles, and conference proceedings in July 2020. All elements of the search, with no language restrictions, were last run in July 2020.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Double-blind, parallel, randomised, placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) of BtA versus placebo in adults with cervical dystonia.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently assessed records, selected included studies, extracted data using a paper pro forma, and evaluated the risk of bias. We resolved disagreements by consensus or by consulting a third review author. We performed meta-analyses using a random-effects model, for the comparison of BtA versus placebo, to estimate pooled effects and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). We performed preplanned subgroup analyses according to BtA dose used, the BtA formulation used, and the use (or not) of guidance for BtA injections. The primary efficacy outcome was improvement in cervical dystonia-specific impairment. The primary safety outcome was the proportion of participants with any adverse event.

MAIN RESULTS

We included nine RCTs, with moderate, overall risk of bias, that included 1144 participants with cervical dystonia. Seven studies excluded participants with poorer responses to BtA treatment, therefore, including an enriched population with a higher probability of benefiting from this therapy. Only one trial was independently funded. All RCTs evaluated the effect of a single BtA treatment session, using doses from 150 U to 500 U of onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox), 120 U to 240 U of incobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin), and 250 U to 1000 U of abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport). BtA resulted in a moderate to large improvement from the participant's baseline clinical status, assessed by the investigators, with a mean reduction of 8.09 points in the Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS total score) at week four after injection (95% CI 6.22 to 9.96; I² = 0%) compared to placebo. This corresponded, on average, to a 18.4% improvement from baseline. The mean difference (MD) in TWSTRS pain subscore at week four was 2.11 (95% CI 1.38 to 2.83; I² = 0%) compared to placebo. Overall, both participants and clinicians reported an improvement of subjective clinical status. It was unclear if dropouts due to adverse events differed (risk ratio (RR) 2.51; 95% CI 0.42 to 14.94; I² = 0%) However, BtA treatment increased the risk of experiencing an adverse event (R) 1.23; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.43; I² = 28%). Neck weakness (14%; RR 3.40; 95% CI 1.19 to 9.71; I² = 15%), dysphagia (11%; RR 3.19; 95% CI 1.79 to 5.70; I² = 0%), and diffuse weakness or tiredness (8%; RR 1.80; 95% CI 1.10 to 2.95; I² = 0%) were the most common treatment-related adverse events. Treatment with BtA resulted in a decreased risk of dropouts. We have moderate certainty in the evidence across all of the aforementioned outcomes, with the exception of subjective assessment and tolerability, in which we have high confidence in the evidence. We found no evidence supporting the existence of a clear dose-response relationship between BtA and improvement in cervical dystonia-specific impairment, a destinction between BtA formulations, or a variation with use of EMG-guided injection for efficacy outcomes. Due to clinical heterogeneity, we did not pool health-related quality of life data, duration of clinical effect, or the development of secondary non-responsiveness.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We are moderately certain in the evidence that a single BtA treatment session resulted in a clinically relevant reduction of cervical dystonia-specific impairment, and pain, and highly certain that it is well tolerated, compared with placebo. There is moderate-certainty evidence that people treated with BtA are at an increased risk of developing adverse events, most notably, dysphagia, neckweakness and diffuse weakness or tiredness. There are no data from RCTs evaluating the effectiveness and safety of repeated BtA injection cycles. There is no evidence from RCTs to allow us to draw definitive conclusions on the optimal treatment intervals and doses, the usefulness of guidance techniques for injection, the impact on quality of life, or the duration of treatment effect.

Deep Brain Stimulation and Thalamotomy for the Treatment of Dystonia Acquired by Moyamoya Disease with Stroke

Background:

Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a type of chronic cerebrovascular disease. Currently, revascularization surgery including direct/indirect procedure is recommended for symptomatic patients. However, some patients still respond poorly to the treatment or develop secondary symptoms.

Case report:

We report the first case of an MMD patient treated with deep brain stimulation (DBS) and thalamotomy. Symptoms of dystonia due to hemorrhage in the thalamus responded poorly to revascularization surgery, but were considerably alleviated by stereotactic neurosurgery.

Discussion:

Our case report provides a potential strategy for management of refractory symptomatic MMD patients with dystonia and also supports the combined efficacy of DBS with thalamotomies.

Highlights:

Approximately 30% of patients with Moyamoya disease (MMD) presenting movement symptoms do not respond well to revascularization surgery. We reported an MMD patient treated with deep brain stimulation (DBS) and thalamotomy with significant dystonia and dystonic tremor symptom amelioration. It indicates that DBS or stereotactic lesioning might be a potential treatment for the refractory movement symptoms of MMD.

The Effectiveness of Deep Brain Stimulation in Dystonia: A Patient-Centered Approach

Background:

To systematically evaluate the effectiveness of deep brain stimulation of the globus pallidus internus (GPi-DBS) in dystonia on pre-operatively set functional priorities in daily living.

Methods:

Fifteen pediatric and adult dystonia patients (8 male; median age 32y, range 8–65) receiving GPi-DBS were recruited. All patients underwent a multidisciplinary evaluation before and 1-year post DBS implantation. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) first identified and then measured changes in functional priorities. The Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS) was used to evaluate dystonia severity.

Results:

Priorities in daily functioning substantially varied between patients but showed significant improvements on performance and satisfaction after DBS. Clinically significant COPM-score improvements were present in 7/8 motor responders, but also in 4/7 motor non-responders.

Discussion:

The use of a patient-oriented approach to measure GPi-DBS effectiveness in dystonia provides an unique insight in patients’ priorities and demonstrates that tangible improvements can be achieved irrespective of motor response.

Highlights

The Long and Winding Road of Vagus Nerve Stimulation: Challenges in Developing an Intervention for Difficult-to-Treat Mood Disorders

PURPOSE

The Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Therapy System has been studied for more than 20 years in patients with severe, treatment-resistant, chronic mood disorder, i.e., difficult-to-treat depression (DTD). This review distills some of the implications of this research for future therapeutic trials in this population.

METHODS

A narrative review is provided on VNS in DTD. Protocols for a new, large, sham-controlled trial and a global, longitudinal observational study are described.

RESULTS

Following encouraging results in open studies, a randomized, masked, sham-controlled trial of VNS for DTD failed to demonstrate an effect on the primary outcome. The negative results may have been partly due to inadequate treatment duration (10 weeks). In long-term observational studies, adjunctive VNS, combined with treatment-as-usual (VNS+TAU), was administered to more than 1100 DTD patients and compared with TAU alone in more than 400 patients. VNS+TAU had superior antidepressant effects, but maximal symptom reduction was often observed after 12 months or longer of stimulation. VNS+TAU had also marked superiority in durability of benefit. Sustained levels of symptom reduction below the traditional cutoff for response (i.e. < 50%) were associated with improved quality of life.

LIMITATIONS

Most comparisons of VNS+TAU and TAU were derived from observational, open label studies.

CONCLUSION

The history of VNS in DTD has implications for interventional studies in this population, and perhaps other chronic medical disorders. The slow onset of benefit with VNS necessitates considerably longer controlled observation periods to establish efficacy. Durability of benefit should be routinely incorporated in efficacy assessment. New outcome metrics are needed to both categorically identify clinically meaningful benefit and to integrate information on symptom burden over time.

Is deep brain stimulation (DBS) a safe and effective treatment for adults with dystonia? - A Cochrane Review summary with commentary

BACKGROUND

Dystonia is the third common motor disorder; deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been reported as beneficial in selected dystonia patients.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effects of DBS in adults with dystonia.

METHODS

Cochrane Review conducted by Rodrigues et al. searching for RCTs with a parallel design, comparing DBS versus placebo, sham intervention, or best medical/surgical treatment was summarized and discussed from a rehabilitation perspective.

RESULTS

Only two RCTs, at high risk of bias, and comparing DBS with sham intervention, were selected; low quality evidence was found that DBS may improve specific symptoms and functionality in adults with cervical or segmental/generalized dystonia; no conclusion was reached on DBS safety and tolerability.

CONCLUSIONS

High quality studies are needed to verify DBS effects in dystonia; more types of dystonia and other control interventions also need to be addressed.