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Tröster AI. Developments in the prediction of cognitive changes following deep brain stimulation in persons with Parkinson's disease. Expert Rev Neurother 2024; 24:643-659. [PMID: 38814926 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2024.2360121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD) motor symptoms that improves function and quality of life in appropriately selected patients. Because mild to moderate cognitive declines can follow DBS and impact quality of life in a minority of patients, an important consideration involves the cognitive deficit and its prediction. AREAS COVERED The author briefly summarizes cognitive outcomes from DBS and reviews in more detail the risks/predictors of post-DBS cognitive dysfunction by mainly focusing on work published between 2018 and 2024 and using comprehensive neuropsychological (NP) evaluations. Most publications concern bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) DBS. Comment is offered on challenges and potential avenues forward. EXPERT OPINION STN DBS is relatively safe cognitively but declines occur especially in verbal fluency and executive function/working memory. Numerous predictors and risk factors for cognitive outcomes have been identified (age and pre-operative neuropsychological status appear the most robust) but precise risk estimates cannot yet be confidently offered. Future studies should employ study center consortia, follow uniform reporting criteria (to be developed), capitalize on advances in stimulation, biomarkers, and artificial intelligence, and address DBS in diverse groups. Advances offer an avenue to investigate the amelioration of cognitive deficits in PD using neuromodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander I Tröster
- Department of Clinical Neuropsychology and Center for Neuromodulation, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
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Cernera S, Okun MS, Gunduz A. A Review of Cognitive Outcomes Across Movement Disorder Patients Undergoing Deep Brain Stimulation. Front Neurol 2019; 10:419. [PMID: 31133956 PMCID: PMC6514131 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Although the benefit in motor symptoms for well-selected patients with deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been established, cognitive declines associated with DBS can produce suboptimal clinical responses. Small decrements in cognition can lead to profound effects on quality of life. The growth of indications, the expansion of surgical targets, the increasing complexity of devices, and recent changes in stimulation paradigms have all collectively drawn attention to the need for re-evaluation of DBS related cognitive outcomes. Methods: To address the impact of cognitive changes following DBS, we performed a literature review using PubMed. We searched for articles focused on DBS and cognition. We extracted information about the disease, target, number of patients, assessment of time points, cognitive battery, and clinical outcomes. Diseases included were dystonia, Tourette syndrome (TS), essential tremor (ET), and Parkinson's disease (PD). Results: DBS was associated with mild cognitive issues even when rigorous patient selection was employed. Dystonia studies reported stable or improved cognitive scores, however one study using reliable change indices indicated decrements in sustained attention. Additionally, DBS outcomes were convoluted with changes in medication dose, alleviation of motor symptoms, and learning effects. In the largest, prospective TS study, an improvement in attentional skills was noted, whereas smaller studies reported variable declines across several cognitive domains. Although, most studies reported stable cognitive outcomes. ET studies largely demonstrated deficits in verbal fluency, which had variable responses depending on stimulation setting. Recently, studies have focused beyond the ventral intermediate nucleus, including the post-subthalamic area and zona incerta. For PD, the cognitive results were heterogeneous, although deficits in verbal fluency were consistent and related to the micro-lesion effect. Conclusion: Post-DBS cognitive issues can impact both motor and quality of life outcomes. The underlying pathophysiology of cognitive changes post-DBS and the identification of pathways underpinning declines will require further investigation. Future studies should employ careful methodological designs. Patient specific analyses will be helpful to differentiate the effects of medications, DBS and the underlying disease state, including disease progression. Disease progression is often an underappreciated factor that is important to post-DBS cognitive issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Cernera
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Michael S Okun
- Department of Neurology, Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida College of Medicine and McKnight Brain Institute, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Aysegul Gunduz
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.,Department of Neurology, Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida College of Medicine and McKnight Brain Institute, Gainesville, FL, United States
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Deuschl G, Herzog J, Kleiner-Fisman G, Kubu C, Lozano AM, Lyons KE, Rodriguez-Oroz MC, Tamma F, Tröster AI, Vitek JL, Volkmann J, Voon V. Deep brain stimulation: Postoperative issues. Mov Disord 2006; 21 Suppl 14:S219-37. [PMID: 16810719 DOI: 10.1002/mds.20957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous factors need to be taken into account when managing a patient with Parkinson's disease (PD) after deep brain stimulation (DBS). Questions such as when to begin programming, how to conduct a programming screen, how to assess the effects of programming, and how to titrate stimulation and medication for each of the targeted sites need to be addressed. Follow-up care should be determined, including patient adjustments of stimulation, timing of follow-up visits and telephone contact with the patient, and stimulation and medication conditions during the follow-up assessments. A management plan for problems that can arise after DBS such as weight gain, dyskinesia, axial symptoms, speech dysfunction, muscle contractions, paresthesia, eyelid, ocular and visual disturbances, and behavioral and cognitive problems should be developed. Long-term complications such as infection or erosion, loss of effect, intermittent stimulation, tolerance, and pain or discomfort can develop and need to be managed. Other factors that need consideration are social and job-related factors, development of dementia, general medical issues, and lifestyle changes. This report from the Consensus on Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease, a project commissioned by the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and the Movement Disorder Society, outlines answers to a series of questions developed to address all aspects of DBS postoperative management and decision-making with a systematic overview of the literature (until mid-2004) and by the expert opinion of the authors. The report has been endorsed by the Scientific Issues Committee of the Movement Disorder Society and the American Society of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Günther Deuschl
- Department of Neurology, Christian-Albrechts-Universität Kiel, Kiel, Germany.
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Woods SP, Fields JA, Lyons KE, Pahwa R, Tröster AI. Pulse width is associated with cognitive decline after thalamic stimulation for essential tremor. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2003; 9:295-300. [PMID: 12781597 DOI: 10.1016/s1353-8020(03)00014-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The present study sought to identify predictors of cognitive decline after thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) for essential tremor (ET). Twenty-seven patients (55%) with ET demonstrated mild cognitive decrements relative to pre-surgical baseline (ET-D), whereas 22 patients (45%) were classified as neuropsychologically stable (ET-S). The ET-D and ET-S groups were comparable in terms of baseline demographic, disease, and neuropsychological characteristics, as well as post-surgical motor outcomes. However, the ET-D group had significantly higher pulse width (PW) stimulator settings, and a greater proportion of ET-D than ET-S patients underwent left in comparison to right thalamic stimulation. A subsequent step-wise discriminant function analysis revealed that disease onset after age 37 years and higher PW settings (>or=120 micros) were the strongest predictors of post-surgical cognitive decline in this sample. Findings indicate that although relatively higher PW settings might afford optimal tremor control in some patients, the corresponding risk of mild, probably often subclinical, cognitive morbidity must be weighed accordingly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Paul Woods
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Box 356560, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA 98195-6560, USA
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Abstract
Psychiatric disturbances are a common feature of Parkinson's disease (PD), which is a degenerative disorder defined by its characteristic movement abnormalities. Its management is optimal when PD is viewed as a neuropsychiatric disorder, because this encourages consideration of the motor deficits along with its psychiatric and cognitive aspects. This review addresses the diagnosis and treatment of the most common psychiatric disorders in PD, and provides an update of related clinical research, including studies on neurosurgical treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Marsh
- Division of Psychiatric Neuroimaging, Geriatric and Neuropsychiatry Programs, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Phipps 300-C, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
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Abstract
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus, subthalamic nucleus, and internal globus pallidus has been put forth as an alternative to surgical ablation for the treatment of movement disorders. In this paper, the authors discuss the history and putative physiologic mechanisms underlying DBS of these target regions. The authors then review empirical findings pertaining to the effects of DBS on neurological symptoms, cognitive functioning, and psychiatric symptoms in Parkinson's disease and essential tremor, the disorders for which the procedure has been most extensively applied. Finally, emerging and potential novel areas of application of DBS for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders and symptoms are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- R M Roth
- Department of Psychiatry, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756-0001, USA.
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Straits-Tröster K, Fields JA, Wilkinson SB, Pahwa R, Lyons KE, Koller WC, Tröster AI. Health-related quality of life in Parkinson's disease after pallidotomy and deep brain stimulation. Brain Cogn 2000; 42:399-416. [PMID: 10753487 DOI: 10.1006/brcg.1999.1112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
This study explored the multidimensional outcome of three neurosurgical interventions for Parkinson's disease (PD): pallidotomy (N = 23), pallidal deep brain stimulation (DBS) (N = 9), and thalamic DBS (N = 7). All patients completed the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) and the Beck Depression Inventory. Pallidotomy patients also completed the Profile of Mood States, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and a disease-specific quality of life (QOL) measure, the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39). Three months after surgery, all neurosurgical groups showed significant improvements in mood and function, including physical, psychosocial, and overall functioning. Pallidal DBS and pallidotomy patients who completed additional QOL measures reported decreased anxiety and tension, increased vigor, improved mobility and ability to perform activities of daily living, and decreased perceived stigma. Psychosocial dysfunction scores from the SIP were related to depressed mood both at baseline (r = .42) and at followup (r = .45), but the physical dysfunction subscale was not related to mood at either time point, suggesting that disruption of social relationships due to PD may have more impact on affective distress than physical symptoms alone. Results suggest that neurosurgical interventions for PD improve disabling PD motor symptoms and also improve several domains of quality of life.
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Miyawaki E, Perlmutter JS, Tröster AI, Videen TO, Koller WC. The behavioral complications of pallidal stimulation: a case report. Brain Cogn 2000; 42:417-34. [PMID: 10753488 DOI: 10.1006/brcg.1999.1113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We report a case of recurrent manic episodes associated with chronic deep brain stimulation (DBS) targeting globus pallidus (GP) in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). Cardinal PD symptoms and dyskinesia improved with DBS, and neuropsychological testing found improvements in visuospatial measures associated with left DBS and in verbal memory with right DBS when compared to the patient's preoperative baseline. Under conditions of right, left, and bilateral DBS, the patient experienced bouts of mania and hypomania lasting several days at a time. Positron emission tomography (PET) with (15)O-labeled water was performed after his first manic episode under four conditions: no stimulation, right DBS, left DBS, and bilateral DBS. Although no manic switch occurred during the course of the PET study, all three DBS conditions were associated with decreases in regional flow in the left parahippocampus and hippocampus and right mid-cingulate gyrus. Increases in flow in left inferior frontal area, bilateral insula, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and cuneus were common to all DBS conditions. GP stimulation in PD may be associated with behavioral and cognitive effects. Distributed blood flow changes observed with pallidal DBS support a role for the pallidum in cognition and affective regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Miyawaki
- Department of Neurology, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160-7314, USA.
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Tröster AI. Introduction to neurobehavioral issues in the neurosurgical treatment of movement disorders: basic issues, thalamotomy, and nonablative treatments. Brain Cogn 2000; 42:173-82. [PMID: 10744918 DOI: 10.1006/brcg.1999.1098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A I Tröster
- Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City 66160-7314, USA.
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Fields JA, Tröster AI. Cognitive outcomes after deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease: a review of initial studies and recommendations for future research. Brain Cogn 2000; 42:268-93. [PMID: 10744924 DOI: 10.1006/brcg.1999.1104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Modern ablative surgery for movement disorders probably results in less frequent and severe cognitive morbidity than seen in early surgical series. Nonetheless, recent studies indicate that neurobehavioral functions commonly compromised in Parkinson's disease (PD) (e.g., executive functions, verbal fluency, and memory) are negatively impacted in some patients by lesion placement. The potential reversibility of cognitive dysfunction after chronic electrical deep brain stimulation (DBS) for PD has lead some to favor this treatment modality over ablation. This paper reviews the initial studies of the cognitive effects of thalamic, pallidal, and subthalamic DBS. These studies suggest that DBS is relatively safe from a cognitive standpoint and that the benefits of motor improvements probably outweigh the cost of minimal cognitive morbidity. This conclusion must be offered with caution, however, given the small numbers of studies to date and their methodological limitations. Neurobehavioral research has yet to adequately address (1) outcome relative to appropriate control groups; (2) effects of electrode placement versus stimulation; (3) laterality- and site-specific effects of DBS; (4) long-term effects of DBS; (5) effects of stimulation parameters; (6) risk factors for cognitive dysfunction with DBS; (7) whether cognitive dysfunction associated with DBS is reversible; and (8) comparative neurobehavioral outcome after DBS and ablation. DBS affords an exciting opportunity to clarify the neurobehavioral role of the basal ganglia.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Fields
- Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City 66160-7314, USA
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Lucas JA, Rippeth JD, Uitti RJ, Shuster EA, Wharen RE. Neuropsychological functioning in a patient with essential tremor with and without bilateral VIM stimulation. Brain Cogn 2000; 42:253-67. [PMID: 10744923 DOI: 10.1006/brcg.1999.1103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The effects of deep brain stimulation on motor functions, cognitive abilities, and mood were assessed in an 80-year-old, right-handed male with a chronic history of essential tremor. Electrodes were implanted bilaterally in the ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus during a single operation. Upon evaluation at 3 months postsurgery, bilateral stimulation was associated with a clinically significant reduction in tremor ratings and improvement in manual dexterity. At that time, a battery of neuropsychological measures was administered with and without bilateral stimulation. The patient demonstrated comparable performances on measures of visuospatial perception, attention, mental tracking, verbal learning, and verbal recognition memory in both the "on" and "off" conditions. Without stimulation, the patient demonstrated declines of greater than 1 SD on measures of verbal fluency and verbal recall compared to when the stimulators were active. Responses to mood rating scales also indicated greater subjective distress without stimulation. Results are discussed in the context of previous studies of the effects of thalamic stimulation on neurocognitive functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Lucas
- Department of Psychology, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
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Tröster AI, Wilkinson SB, Fields JA, Miyawaki K, Koller WC. Chronic electrical stimulation of the left ventrointermediate (Vim) thalamic nucleus for the treatment of pharmacotherapy-resistant Parkinson's disease: a differential impact on access to semantic and episodic memory? Brain Cogn 1998; 38:125-49. [PMID: 9853093 DOI: 10.1006/brcg.1998.1025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Thalamotomy for medically refractory Parkinson's disease (PD) is considered to be efficacious and relatively safe. Because a minority of patients experience decrements in language and memory (often mild and transient) after thalamotomy, chronic thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) might be a safer treatment given its reversibility and the modifiability of stimulation parameters. Two preliminary studies support the relative cognitive safety of unilateral DBS of the ventral intermediate (Vim) thalamic nucleus, but it is unclear whether possibly subtle changes in language and memory represent effects of "microthalamotomy" or of stimulation per se. This report provides preliminary data concerning effects of left thalamic stimulation on information processing speed, semantic memory (verbal fluency and visual confrontation naming), and verbal episodic memory in a patient with PD. In addition to being evaluated before and 3 and 6 months after surgery, the patient was tested 18 months after surgery either on or off medications and with the stimulator turned either on or off (order counterbalanced across medication conditions). Test performance differences between the stimulation conditions were attenuated "off" as compared to "on" medication. Vim stimulation consistently, albeit subtly, improved semantic verbal fluency but interfered with immediate recall of word lists. Parallels to findings from acute, intraoperative thalamic stimulation studies are explored. The hypothesis is offered that left Vim stimulation might facilitate access to semantic memory, but interfere with episodic memory processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- A I Tröster
- Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City 66160-7314, USA.
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Tröster AI, Fields JA, Wilkinson SB, Pahwa R, Miyawaki E, Lyons KE, Koller WC. Unilateral pallidal stimulation for Parkinson's disease: neurobehavioral functioning before and 3 months after electrode implantation. Neurology 1997; 49:1078-83. [PMID: 9339693 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.49.4.1078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Unilateral pallidotomy is thought to have a low risk for cognitive morbidity. Nonetheless, recent research suggests that some patients experience declines in memory and language and that pallidal stimulation might be a safer treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD). We investigated the neurobehavioral effects of unilateral pallidal stimulation. Nine consecutive PD patients undergoing unilateral deep brain-stimulating electrode implantation in the globus pallidus interna were evaluated with a neuropsychological test battery approximately 1 month before and 3 months after surgery. Patients reported significantly fewer symptoms of anxiety and greater vigor after surgery. There was a trend toward fewer depressive symptoms. Semantic verbal fluency and visuoconstructional test scores declined significantly after surgery. However, among five patients showing declines in semantic verbal fluency, only one patient's score declined by more than 2 SD. No patient showed significant decline or improvement in the overall level of cognitive functioning. This study supports the relative safety, in terms of cognitive function, of unilateral pallidal stimulation in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- A I Tröster
- Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City 66160-7314, USA
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