The effect of deep brain stimulation on motor and cognitive symptoms of Parkinson's disease: A literature review

The Role of Physical Activity in Adjunctive Nursing Management of Neuro-Degenerative Diseases among Older Adults: A Systematic Review of Interventional Studies

Neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and Parkinson's disease pose significant challenges to older adults globally. While pharmacological treatments remain primary, increasing evidence supports the role of non-pharmacological strategies like physical activity in managing these conditions. This systematic review critically evaluates the effectiveness of Nursing based physical activity interventions in improving cognitive function, physical functioning, mobility, and overall quality of life among older adults with neurodegenerative diseases. We conducted a comprehensive search across PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CENTRAL, and other relevant databases, focusing on randomized controlled trials and observational studies that examined the impact of structured physical activity. Our findings from nineteen studies involving 1673 participants indicate that interventions ranging from aerobic exercises, resistance training, to mind-body exercises like Tai Chi and yoga have beneficial effects. Specifically, physical activity was consistently found to enhance cognitive performance, increase mobility, and improve balance and daily living activities, contributing to a better quality of life. However, these benefits vary depending on the type, intensity, and duration of the activity performed. Despite promising results, limitations such as small sample sizes, study heterogeneity, and short-term follow-up periods call for more robust, long-term studies to solidify these findings. This review underscores the potential of tailored physical activity programs as adjunctive therapy in the comprehensive management of neurodegenerative diseases among the elderly population.

The gait parameters in patients with Parkinson's Disease under STN-DBS therapy and associated clinical features

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to investigate the gait parameters in patients with subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) therapy using quantitative gait analyses and reveal the associated clinical features.

METHODS

Parkinson's disease (PD) subjects with STN-DBS who applied to our movement disorders outpatient clinics between December/2021 and March/2022 were enrolled. In addition to the evaluation of the demographic data and the clinical features; clinical scales measuring the freezing of gait (FOG), falls and quality of life were performed. A gait analyzer program was used to perform gait analysis.

RESULTS

Thirty patients with a mean age of 59.4 ± 8.3 (F/M = 7/23) were enrolled. The comparative analyses between the tremor-dominant and akinetic-rigid (AR) subtype patients showed that the step time asymmetry measures were higher in the AR group. The comparative analyses according to the symptom onset side showed that the step length was smaller in those with left-side symptom onset. The correlation analyses showed that there were correlations between the quality-of-life indexes and FOG questionnaire and falls efficacy scale (FES) scores. Finally, the correlation analyses between clinical scales and gait parameters revealed that there were significant correlations between the FES scores and the step length asymmetry (SLA).

CONCLUSION

We found a strong relationship between falls and quality of life indexes of our patients under STN-DBS therapy. In this patient group, particular evaluation of fallings and the follow-up of SLA in gait analysis may constitute important points during the evaluation of patients in routine clinical practice.

Personality Changes After Subthalamic Nucleus Stimulation in Parkinson’s Disease

Background:

While deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS) significantly improves motor deficits in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), it is still unclear whether it affects personality functioning.

Objective:

The objective of the present study was to examine personality changes in patients with PD after STN-DBS from the perspectives of both the patients and caregivers. Moreover, by assessing the premorbid personalities of the patients, we tried to determine individual vulnerability to STN-DBS-induced personality changes.

Methods:

In total, 27 patients and their caregivers participated in our retrospective observational study. They were asked to assess the patients’ personality changes with the Iowa Scale of Personality Changes (ISPC) and the patients’ premorbid personalities with the Big Five Inventory (BFI).

Results:

Caregivers reported significant personality changes in the ISPC domains of Executive Disturbance (p = 0.01) and Disturbed Social Behavior (p = 0.02). Most of the ISPC domains were positively correlated with Conscientiousness, while Executive Disturbance was negatively correlated with Neuroticism of the BFI scale.

Conclusion:

Our results show that executive and social functioning are the two most vulnerable domains in patients with PD after STN-DBS, especially in those patients who score higher for neuroticism and lower for conscientiousness on the BFI scale. The results of our study may provide movement disorder specialists with better counseling options and better selection of DBS candidates. Caregivers’ perspective might contribute significantly in understanding postoperative personality changes.

Faradization for insomnia: a sleep neurology history

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Insomnia is highly prevalent and challenging to treat. We typically regard insomnia as a disorder of the modern world, but physicians and patients have been struggling with this malady for millennia. Here we present the curious historical practice of using electrization or faradization to treat insomnia. We present methods of application, hypotheses regarding mechanism of action, and historical case reports and case series to better understand this phenomenon. We put faradization for insomnia in the context of the modern use of electrical therapies to support and facilitate human health in multiple different health care arenas. Last, we examine current efforts to use these antiquated concepts to address insomnia through transcranial direct current stimulation and cranial electrical stimulation.

Executive Functions in Parkinson's disease with and without Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS): A systematic review

Given the aging of the world population, it is essential to investigate which methods are most effective for treating the diseases that manifest with age. This study addresses Parkinson’s disease (PD), for which Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) has been increasingly used to treat the disease.

Optimal target localisation and eight-year outcome for subthalamic stimulation in patients with Parkinson's disease

OBJECTIVE

Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS) is a useful therapy to improve motor functions and reduce dependence on medication in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). The purpose of the study is to assess the long-term clinical outcomes of STN-DBS and to determine the optimal placement of electrodes that for the most positive outcomes.

METHODS

A consecutive series of 42 PD patients were evaluated using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) before and after STN-DBS lead implantation. Postoperatively, patients were evaluated during both the medication 'ON' period (medication suppressed symptoms) and the medication 'OFF' period (when medication failed to suppress symptoms), and the results were compared to the baseline values prior to surgery. Follow-up assessments, focusing on motor functions, were performed 1, 3, 5, and 8 years after the initial implantation surgery. The locations of electrodes were measured and compared against the clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

STN-DBS remarkably improved the UPDRS-II, -III, and -IV dyskinesia and motor fluctuation scores in the OFF-medication condition when compared to baseline values. In addition, the dose of levodopa needed to elicit an effect declined sharply in the OFF-medication condition. Over time, the axial signs progressively worsened even with continuous stimulation and a levodopa response. The location of electrodes correlated with the most beneficial outcomes was the dorsal STN margin.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results confirm that overall, stimulation-induced motor improvement is still evident after 8 years. However, the primary best outcome declines with the progressive loss of favourable axial signs.

How is cognition in subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation Parkinson's disease patients?

The impairments in cognitive functions such as memory, executive function, visuospatial skills and language in Parkinson's disease (PD) are drawing increasing attention in the current literature. Studies dedicated to investigating the relationship between subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) and cognitive functioning are contradictory. This systematic review aims to analyze the impact on the cognitive functioning of patients with PD and STN-DBS. Articles published in the 2007-2017 period were retrieved from the Medline/Pubmed databases using PRISMA criteria. The analysis of 27 articles revealed many conflicting results, precluding a consensus on a cognitive functioning standard and hampering the establishment of a neuropsychological profile for PD patients who underwent STN-DBS surgery. Further studies investigating this relationship are needed.

Systematic review of neuropsychological instruments used in subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation in Parkinson´s disease patients

In addition to drug treatment, surgical intervention represents an alternative to PD patients with motor deficits. The most common intervention is subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS). It is extremely important to perform a neuropsychological assessment in patients with STN-DBS, not only to identify losses related to the disease, but also to compare influence on cognition both pre and postoperatively.

OBJECTIVE

the objective of this systematic review was to investigate the instruments frequently used in studies related to STN-DBS in PD patients.

METHODS

articles were retrieved from Medline/Pubmed databases published in the 2007-2017 period using PRISMA criteria.

RESULTS

after analyzing 27 articles, the absence of a specific evaluation protocol for PD with STN-DBS was evident.

CONCLUSION

non-motor symptoms are not given due importance in neuropsychological assessments. It is crucial to acknowledge that these symptoms have a major impact on the quality of life of patients. Greater engagement in assessing these aspects is required, in order to bridge the gaps in research.

The impact of cognitive performance on quality of life in individuals with Parkinson's disease

Background

Evidence points to the occurrence of cognitive impairment in all stages of PD, constituting a frequent and debilitating symptom, due to high impact on quality of life and mortality of patients.

Objective

To correlate cognitive performance with quality of life in PD.

Methods

The sample was drawn from a Movement Disorders Clinic of a reference hospital in Porto Alegre. Inclusion criteria were: PD diagnosis, according to the United Kingdom Parkinson's Disease Society Brain Bank criteria for idiopathic PD (Hughes et al. 1992) and patient consent to participate. Patients with other neurological pathologies and those submitted to deep brain stimulation were excluded. The evaluation consisted of a cognitive testing battery (composed of eight tests for assessing cognitive performance), and a questionnaire on quality of life (PDQ-39) and depression (BDI).

Results

The sample comprised 85 individuals with PD, with a mean age of 62.9 years (±10.7), mean disease duration of 10.4 years (±5.7), and mean educational level of four years (±4.3). There was a significant relationship between total score on the PDQ and all cognitive tests, showing that poor cognitive performance was correlated with poor quality of life. Moreover, a significant correlation was observed between cognitive tests and depression, H&Y, education level, and age.

Conclusion

It may be concluded that the individuals with PD in this sample showed a correlation between poorer quality of life and worse cognitive performance. Poor performance was also correlated with more advanced stage, older age, low level of education and depression.

Neuropsychological profile of Parkinson's disease patients selected for deep brain stimulation surgery

Background

Parkinson's disease (PD) shows symptoms involving motor and non-motor complications, including cognitive and behavioral changes, such changes might to contraindicate deep brain stimulation surgery (DBS).

Objective

The aim of study was to investigate the neuropsychological profile of patients with PD in a waiting list for DBS.

Methods

The neuropsychological evaluation was held in 30 patients of the ISCMPA Movement Disorders Clinic, with surgical indication based on the criteria of the responsible neurologists, in the period of 12 months. Instruments used: MMSE, FAB, MoCA, BDI, Semantic Verbal Fluency, PDQ-39, PDSS; and the UPDRS and Hoehn-Yahr scale.

Results

The patients were mostly male (66.7%) with a mean age of 59.37 (SD 10.60) and disease duration 9.33 (SD 4.08). There was cognitive impairment in 56.7% of patients by FAB and 76.7% by MoCA.

Conclusion

Even in the earliest stages of the disease, there is the incidence of non-motor symptoms, especially in those subjects who had an early onset of the disease.