Sex Differences in Dystonia

BACKGROUND

Prior studies have indicated that female individuals outnumber male individuals for certain types of dystonia. Few studies have addressed factors impacting these sex differences or their potential biological mechanisms.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate factors underlying sex differences in the dystonias and explore potential mechanisms for these differences.

METHODS

Data from individuals with various types of dystonia were analyzed in relation to sex. Data came from two different sources. One source was the Dystonia Coalition database, which contains predominantly idiopathic adult-onset focal and segmental dystonias. The second source was the MDSGene database, which contains predominantly early-onset monogenic dystonias.

RESULTS

The 3222 individuals from the Dystonia Coalition included 71% female participants and 29% male participants for an overall female-to-male ratio (F:M) of 2.4. This ratio varied according to body region affected and whether dystonia was task-specific. The female predominance was age-dependent. Sex did not have a significant impact on co-existing tremor, geste antagoniste, depression or anxiety. In the 1377 individuals from the MDSGene database, female participants outnumbered male participants for some genes (GNAL, GCH1, and ANO3) but not for other genes (THAP1, TH, and TOR1A).

CONCLUSIONS

These results are in keeping with prior studies that have indicated female individuals outnumber male individuals for both adult-onset idiopathic and early onset monogenic dystonias. These results extend prior observations by revealing that sex ratios depend on the type of dystonia, age, and underlying genetics.

An Empirical Comparison of Commonly Used Universal Rating Scales for Dystonia

Background

There are several widely used clinical rating scales for documenting the severity and distribution of various types of dystonia.

Objectives

The goal of this study was to evaluate the performance of the most commonly used scales in a large group of adults with the most common types of isolated dystonia.

Methods

Global Dystonia Rating Scale (GDRS) and the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFM) scores were obtained for 3067 participants. Most had focal or segmental dystonia, with smaller numbers of multifocal or generalized dystonia. These scales were also compared for 209 adults with cervical dystonia that had Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS) scores and 210 adults with blepharospasm that had Blepharospasm Severity Scale (BSRS) scores.

Results

There were strong correlations between the GDRS and BFM total scores (r = 0.79) and moderate correlations for their sub scores (r > 0.5). Scores for both scales showed positive skew, with an overabundance of low scores. BFM sub-scores were not normally distributed, due to artifacts caused by the provoking factor. Relevant sub-scores of the GDRS and BFM also showed moderate correlations with the TWSTRS (r > 0.5) for cervical dystonia and the BSRS (r > 0.5) for blepharospasm.

Conclusions

The BFM is more widely used than the GDRS, but these results suggest the GDRS may be preferable for focal and segmental dystonias. The overabundance of very low scores for both scales highlights challenges associated with discriminating very mild dystonia from other abnormal movements or variants of normal behavior.

Distinguishing functional from primary tics: a study of expert video assessments

BACKGROUND

Reliably applied criteria to differentiate functional from primary tics are lacking. In the absence of biological markers, the development of new diagnostic criteria to assist clinicians is predicated on expert judgement and consensus. This study examines the level of diagnostic agreement of experts in tic disorders using video footage and clinical descriptions.

METHODS

Using a two-part survey, eight experts in the diagnosis and management of tics were first asked to study 24 case videos of adults with primary tics, functional tics or both and to select a corresponding diagnosis. In the second part of the survey, additional clinical information was provided, and the diagnosis was then reconsidered. Inter-rater agreement was measured using Fleiss' kappa. In both study parts, the factors which influenced diagnostic decision-making and overall diagnostic confidence were reviewed.

RESULTS

Based on phenomenology alone, the diagnostic agreement among the expert raters was only fair for the pooled diagnoses (κ=0.21) as well as specifically for functional (κ=0.26) and primary tics (κ=0.24). Additional clinical information increased overall diagnostic agreement to moderate (κ=0.51) for both functional (κ=0.6) and primary tics (κ=0.57). The main factors informing diagnosis were tic semiology, age at tic onset, presence of premonitory urges, tic suppressibility, the temporal latency between tic onset and peak severity, precipitants and tic triggers and changes in the overall phenotypic presentation.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirmed that in the absence of clinical information, the diagnostic distinction between primary and functional tics is often difficult, even for expert clinicians.

European Society for the Study of Tourette Syndrome 2022 criteria for clinical diagnosis of functional tic-like behaviours: International consensus from experts in tic disorders

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In 2020, health professionals witnessed a dramatic increase in referrals of young people with rapid onset of severe tic-like behaviours. We assembled a working group to develop criteria for the clinical diagnosis of functional tic-like behaviours (FTLBs) to help neurologists, pediatricians, psychiatrists, and psychologists recognize and diagnose this condition.

METHODS

We used a formal consensus development process, using a multiround, web-based Delphi survey. The survey was based on an in-person discussion at the European Society for the Study of Tourette Syndrome (ESSTS) meeting in Lausanne in June 2022. Members of an invited group with extensive clinical experience working with patients with Tourette syndrome and FTLBs discussed potential clinical criteria for diagnosis of FTLBs. An initial set of criteria were developed based on common clinical experiences and review of the literature on FTLBs and revised through iterative discussions, resulting in the survey items for voting.

RESULTS

In total, 24 members of the working group were invited to participate in the Delphi process. We propose that there are three major criteria and two minor criteria to support the clinical diagnosis of FTLBs. A clinically definite diagnosis of FTLBs can be confirmed by the presence of all three major criteria. A clinically probable diagnosis of FTLBs can be confirmed by the presence of two major criteria and one minor criterion.

CONCLUSIONS

Distinguishing FTLBs from primary tics is important due to the distinct treatment paths required for these two conditions. A limitation of the ESSTS 2022 criteria is that they lack prospective testing of their sensitivity and specificity.

Pediatric autoimmune Parkinsonism and response to deep brain stimulation

INTRODUCTION

Influenza virus has been associated with cases of Parkinsonism, yet a direct relationship has not been confirmed in the literature. Different mechanisms of post-infectious Parkinsonism have been proposed including inflammatory, oxidative stress, and autoimmune. We report a first to our knowledge case of pediatric autoimmune Parkinsonism with autoantibodies to dopamine D2L receptor (anti-DRD2L antibodies), who underwent deep brain stimulation (DBS) of bilateral globus pallidi (GPi).

CASE REPORT

A 13-year-old girl presented with Parkinsonism features after a severe case of influenza A. She underwent extensive work-up and was found to have elevated titers for anti-DRD2L antibodies. Patient was initially treated with IVIG and plasmapheresis with mild improvement, but her condition continued to worsen. She was responsive to levodopa; however, she developed severe dyskinesia. Patient underwent DBS implantation resulting in partial improvement in bradykinesia, tremors, and dyskinesia.

CONCLUSION

This case is meant to raise awareness of a rare potential autoimmune complication after influenza virus and to share the experience and outcome using DBS to palliate some of the symptoms.

Treatment failure in persistent tic disorders: an expert clinicians' consensus-based definition

A standardized definition of treatment failure in the management of tics is currently lacking. Such definition would prevent persistent use of unnecessary interventions and help clinicians to determine when to offer less established treatments (e.g., deep brain stimulation surgery). To achieve an expert consensus-based definition of failure of medical treatments for tics, we used a multi-step, multi-round, web-based Delphi approach involving international specialist clinicians with specific expertise in tic disorders. These experts were identified through professional networks or consortia related to chronic tic disorders. We created a survey and reviewed the questions with stakeholders prior to two rounds of Delphi surveys, followed by a final review and discussion among research team members. Both survey rounds were completed using a sample of 36 expert stakeholders from 14 countries, including neurologists, psychiatrists, and clinical psychologists. The Delphi process led to consensus on 10 statements which formed the final definition of treatment failure. The definition was structured and operationalized according to two separate sections, one for behavioral and one for pharmacological treatments. Core components of the definition and its operationalization included lack of efficacy, adherence, and tolerability, as well as a definition of failure of behavioral therapies as a whole, and of pharmacological therapies as a whole. The group concluded that the components of this specific definition reflect the range and complexity of characteristics to consider in establishing tic-related treatment failure. Future research should assess the feasibility of this operational definition and whether it will change clinical decision-making and improve management outcomes.

Comparative pharmacovigilance assessment of mortality with pimavanserin in Parkinson disease-related psychosis

BACKGROUND: Pimavanserin is approved for treatment of Parkinson disease (PD)-related psychosis, but its use has been associated with an increased risk of death during clinical trials, as well as during postmarketing surveillance. Previous reports on the association between pimavanserin and mortality have not taken into account limitations of data sources nor included comparable populations or comparisons to relevant treatment alternatives. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a comparative pharmacovigilance assessment of pimavanserin vs treatment alternatives and by restricting surveillance data to more representative populations. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of adverse event case reports submitted to the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) from 2016 through 2019 quarter 3 (Q3). FAERS data are collected from the full population, were further restricted to only those with PD, and were based on PD medication use. Reports were assessed for exposure to pimavanserin, clozapine, quetiapine, haloperidol, and other atypical antipsychotics. The outcome of interest was all-cause death. A proportional reporting ratio (PRR) and 95% confidence limits were calculated for each 2 by 2 contingency of outcome (death) and exposure (pimavanserin and others). For each outcome/exposure pair, the baseline population was altered to include the full FAERS sample, only reports with PD, reports with PD treated with levodopa, and reports with PD treated with multiple PD medications. The sample was also stratified by time period before April 2018 and after September 2018 to capture periods of public knowledge and federal response. A lower 95% CI (Lower95CI) ≥ 2 for the PRR was considered as the accepted threshold for a drug safety signal. RESULTS: As of 2019 Q3, there were 2,287 reports of death associated with pimavanserin. Compared within the full FAERS base population, pimavanserin yielded a PRR Lower95CI = 2.08 but was smaller when restricted to comparison among only a base population with PD (Lower95CI = 1.09), PD treated with levodopa (Lower95CI = 1.15), or PD treated with multiple PD medications (Lower95CI = 1.63). Metrics for quetiapine, clozapine, and other atypical antipsychotics were similar in magnitude. Stratification by time showed a possible reporting bias associated with pimavanserin, since no safety signal was detected before April 2018; however, a signal was present thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: Compared in context with treatment alternatives for patients with PD, pimavanserin was not associated with excess reports of death in the FAERS data. This information should be used in shared decision making between physicians and PD patients to balance the risks and benefits of pimavanserin and other treatments for PD psychosis. DISCLOSURES: No outside funding supported this study. The authors report no disclosures or conflicts of interest relevant to this study. Armstrong receives research support from the NIA (P30AG047266, R01AG068128) and the Florida Department of Health (grant 20A08). She is the local principal investigator of a Lewy Body Dementia Association Research Center of Excellence. She also receives compensation from the American Academy of Neurology for work as an evidence-based medicine methodology consultant. She is on the level of evidence editorial board for Neurology and related publications (uncompensated), receives publishing royalties for Parkinson's Disease: Improving Patient Care (Oxford University Press, 2014), and has received an honorarium for presenting for Medscape CME in 2018. Okun serves as a consultant for the Parkinson's Foundation and has received research grants from NIH, Parkinson's Foundation, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, the Parkinson Alliance, Smallwood Foundation, the Bachmann-Strauss Foundation, the Tourette Syndrome Association, and the UF Foundation. Okun has participated as a site principal investigator and/or co-investigator for several NIH-, foundation-, and industry-sponsored trials over the years but has not received honoraria. Malaty has participated in research funded by the Parkinson Foundation, Tourette Association, Dystonia Coalition, Abbvie, Boston Scientific, Eli Lilly, Neuroderm, Pfizer, Revance, and Teva. She has received travel compensation and/or honoraria from the Tourette Association of America, NeuroChallenge Foundation and NIH/Neurobiology of Disease in Children, Parkinson Foundation, Medscape, International Association of Parkinsonism and Related Disorders, and Cleveland Clinic, and royalties from Robert Rose publishers. The other authors have no disclosures.

The 5 Pillars in Tourette Syndrome Deep Brain Stimulation Patient Selection: Present and Future

The selection of patients with Tourette syndrome (TS) for deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery rests on 5 fundamental pillars. However, the operationalization of the multidisciplinary screening process to evaluate these pillars remains highly diverse, especially across sites. High tic severity and tic-related impact on quality of life (first 2 pillars) require confirmation from objective, validated measures, but malignant features of TS should per se suffice to fulfill this pillar. Failure of behavioral and pharmacologic therapies (third pillar) should be assessed taking into account refractoriness through objective and subjective measures supporting lack of efficacy of all interventions of proven efficacy, as well as true lack of tolerability, adherence, or access. Educational interventions and use of remote delivery formats (for behavioral therapies) play a role in preventing misjudgment of treatment failure. Stability of comorbid psychiatric disorders for 6 months (fourth pillar) is needed to confirm the predominant impact of tics on quality of life, to prevent pseudo-refractoriness, and to maximize the future DBS response. The 18-year age limit (fifth pillar) is currently under reappraisal, considering the potential impact of severe tics in adolescence and the predictive effect of tic severity in childhood on tic severity when transitioning into adulthood. Future advances should aim at a consensus-based definition of failure of specific, noninvasive treatment strategies for tics and of the minimum clinical observation period before considering DBS treatment, the stability of behavioral comorbidities, and the use of a prospective international registry data to identify predictors of positive response to DBS, especially in younger patients.

Multidisciplinary Telemedicine Care for Tourette Syndrome: Minireview

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a childhood-onset, chronic neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by multiple motor and vocal tics. TS poses a considerable burden on both patients and health care providers, leading to a major detriment of educational success, occupation, and interpersonal relationships. A multidisciplinary, specialist-driven management approach is required due to the complexity of TS. However, access to such specialty care is often dramatically limited by the patients' locations and the specialists' geographic clustering in large urban centers. Telemedicine uses electronic information and communication technology to provide and support health care when distance separates participants. Therefore, we conducted this mini-review to describe the latest information on telemedicine in the assessment and management of TS and discuss the potential contributions to care for TS patients with a multidisciplinary approach. We believe that telemedicine could be a revolutionary method in improving medical access to patients with TS.

Dystonia and Tremor: A Cross-Sectional Study of the Dystonia Coalition Cohort

OBJECTIVE

To assess the clinical manifestations and predictors of different types of tremors in individuals with different types of isolated dystonia.

METHODS

Clinical manifestations of tremor were assessed in a multicenter, international cross-sectional, cohort study of 2,362 individuals with all types of isolated dystonia (focal, segmental, multifocal, and generalized) recruited through the Dystonia Coalition.

RESULTS

Methodical and standardized assessments of all participants in this cohort revealed the overall prevalence of any type of tremor was 53.3%. The prevalence of dystonic tremor varied from 36.9% to 48.4%, depending on criteria used to define it. To identify the factors associated with tremors in dystonia, the data were analyzed by generalized linear modeling and cluster analyses. Generalized linear modeling indicated 2 of the strongest factors associated with tremor included body region affected by dystonia and recruitment center. Tremor was also associated with severity of dystonia and duration of dystonia, but not with sex or race. The cluster analysis distinguished 8 subgroups within the whole cohort; defined largely by body region with dystonia, and secondarily by other clinical characteristics.

CONCLUSION

The large number of cases evaluated by an international team of movement disorder experts facilitated the dissection of several important factors that influence the apparent prevalence and phenomenology of tremor in dystonia. These results are valuable for understanding the many differences reported in prior studies, and for guiding future studies of the nosology of tremor and dystonia.

Deep Brain Stimulation for Tourette Syndrome: Potential Role in the Pediatric Population

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder. Despite an expected natural history of improvement with age, many individuals continue to have severe tics and remain refractory to the current best pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has emerged as a potential treatment option. This article reviews the published reports on the use of deep brain stimulation in Tourette syndrome revealing that 2 anatomical targets have been most commonly used: the centromedian thalamus and the globus pallidus internus. The evidence supports a significant clinical improvement of tics with deep brain stimulation, though the data are limited by the small number of patients and variable methodology employed. To bridge these limitations, the international Tourette syndrome deep brain stimulation database and registry have been created, fostering collaboration among multiple centers from 10 countries. By standardizing data collection, the database and registry are providing valuable insights into deep brain stimulation for Tourette syndrome. In conclusion, deep brain stimulation offers significant promise for the management of tics.

Weight loss and impact on quality of life in Parkinson's disease

INTRODUCTION

Weight loss is common in Parkinson's Disease (PD) and sometimes may precede the diagnosis. Weight loss is associated with multiple factors but its impact on health-related quality of life (HRQL) in PD remains unknown. We sought to investigate the factors associated with weight change and to quantify its effect on HRQL.

METHODS

The National Parkinson Foundation Quality Improvement Initiative (NPF-QII) data was used to analyze PD patients longitudinally between two visits, separated by 12 ± 6 months. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to assess the associations between baseline covariates and body weight change per month, and to evaluate whether, and to what degree, Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39) scores were affected.

RESULTS

A higher Hoehn & Yahr stage, higher number of comorbidities, older age, lower MOCA estimate, and higher rate of levodopa usage were observed in patients who lost weight. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that age and levodopa usage were significantly associated with weight loss. Furthermore, monthly body weight loss was significantly associated with HRQL decline in PD patients. Loss of 1 lb (0.45 kg) per month was associated with a decline in QOL: an increase of 0.5% in PDQ-39 Summary Index score (p=0.004), and 1.1% and 1.5% increases in the mobility and ADL dimensions, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Weight loss in PD is common and seems to correlate with worsened HRQL. Awareness of factors associated with weight loss and its relation to HRQL may help practitioners improve patient management and expectations.

How Should Pushing Off or the Use of Assistive Devices Be Incorporated in the Timed Up and Go for Persons With Parkinson Disease?

OBJECTIVES

To determine (1) the relationship between assisted timed Up and Go (TUG) performance and the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39), and (2) whether adjusting the TUG score (adding time) improves the relationship between TUG performance and the PDQ-39 in persons with Parkinson disease (PD) who use assistive devices or push off, or both.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

SETTING

Twenty participating National Parkinson Foundation Centers of Excellence.

PARTICIPANTS

Data were obtained from participants (N=6624) without exclusion at the 20 participating sites.

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The relationship between TUG scores and PDQ-39 mobility scores was determined using the method of linear least squares. Adjusted scores were determined through minimizing the sum of the squared error.

RESULTS

The correlation between assisted TUG scores and PDQ-39 mobility scores was slightly lower (R(2)=.384) compared with the correlation between nonassisted TUG scores and PDQ-39 mobility scores (R(2)=.409). Adjusting assisted TUG performance scores for push off and for use of an assistive device resulted in a modest increase in correlation (R(2)=.399).

CONCLUSIONS

Applying adjustments to assisted TUG may provide clinically important information for evaluating balance, mobility, and falls, and for determining the most effective therapeutic strategies for persons with PD.

An independent elderly woman with rapid onset of coma

A 75-year-old woman was transferred from a local hospital because of rapid progression to coma preceded by lower back pain and recurrent falls. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis at the local hospital revealed increased protein with a slightly elevated white blood cell count. Our imaging studies revealed multiple punctate foci with nodular enhancement in the brain and multifocal cystic lesions on the chest and abdomen. The patient was empirically treated with antibiotics and corticosteroids without improvement. She died 3 days after transfer, and autopsy was performed. The differential diagnosis, pathologic findings, and final diagnosis are discussed.

Timed up and go, cognitive, and quality-of-life correlates in Parkinson's disease

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relationship between Timed Up and Go (TUG) performance, verbal executive function (EF) performance, and quality-of-life (QOL) measures in Parkinson's disease (PD).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

SETTING

Sixteen movement disorder centers from across the United States.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with PD (N=1964).

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

TUG test, immediate and delayed 5-word recall, verbal fluency, PD QOL Questionnaire.

RESULTS

TUG performance and verbal EF performance were significantly associated with, and predictors of, QOL measures, having the greatest association and predictability with the mobility domain of the QOL measures.

CONCLUSIONS

The TUG test and verbal EF tests have QOL correlates, making the combined evaluation of mobility, cognitive, and QOL decline a potential examination tool to evaluate the sequelae of PD.

Health comorbidities and cognition in 1948 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND

Health comorbidities, particularly cardiovascular factors, are well known to pose risks for cognitive decline in older adults. This study examined the prevalence and contribution of comorbidities on cognitive performance in a large cohort of Parkinson patients.

METHODS

Data on 1948 PD patients were obtained from the National Parkinson Foundation Quality Improvement Initiative (NPF-QII) registry, a multi-site initiative from NPF Centers of Excellence. Available comorbidity data included six common conditions (heart/circulation problems, diabetes, arthritis, cancer, respiratory disease, and other neurologic disease) that were clinician-rated for presence and severity. Available cognitive measures included semantic fluency and a 5-word recall memory task. The unique effects of comorbidities on cognition were analyzed (multiple hierarchical regression) controlling for demographic, PD disease severity (duration, Hoehn-Yahr), and medication status.

RESULTS

The two most reported comorbidities were arthritis (46.6%) and heart/circulation problems (36.3%), with diabetes affecting 9% of the sample. Severity of heart/circulation problems independently contributed to worse delayed recall performance (p = 0.03). A trend emerged for more severe diabetes as contributing to worse semantic fluency scores (p = 0.06).

CONCLUSIONS

This study with a large cohort of PD patients provides evidence for a small detrimental influence of specific health comorbidities, particularly heart/circulatory and diabetes, on general measures of cognition. This effect is present, above and beyond the influences of basic demographic information (age), duration and staging of PD, and medication status. Future studies involving more refined cognitive indices and direct assessment of comorbidities are warranted.

Quantitative normative gait data in a large cohort of ambulatory persons with Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND

Gait performance is widely evaluated to assess health status in older adult populations. While several investigators have presented normative values for spatiotemporal gait parameters drawn from older adult populations, the literature has been void of large-scale cohort studies, which are needed in order to provide quantitative, normative gait data in persons with Parkinson's disease. The aim of this investigation was to provide reference values for clinically important gait characteristics in a large sample of ambulatory persons with Parkinson's disease to aid both clinicians and researchers in their evaluations and treatments of gait impairment.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Gait performance was collected in 310 individuals with idiopathic Parkinson's disease as they walked across a pressure sensitive walkway. Fourteen quantitative gait parameters were measured and evaluated with respect to Hoehn and Yahr disease staging and gender. Disease duration and age were controlled for in all analyses. Individuals with the greatest Parkinson's disability walked significantly slower with shorter steps and stride lengths than the mild and moderately affected groups. Further, the most affected patients spent more time with both feet on the ground, and walked with a wider base of support than the moderately disabled patients. No differences were detected between the mild and moderate disability groups on any of the gait parameters evaluated.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

Reference values for 14 gait parameters in a large cohort of ambulatory patients with Parkinson's disease are provided and these may be highly useful for assessing and interpreting an individual's gait dysfunction. It is important for clinicians and researchers to appreciate the lack of change in quantitative parameters as PD patients move from mild to moderate gait impairment.

Do stable patients with a premorbid depression history have a worse outcome after deep brain stimulation for Parkinson disease?

BACKGROUND

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been associated with mood sequelae in a subset of patients operated on in either the subthalamic nucleus or the globus pallidus internus for the treatment of Parkinson disease.

OBJECTIVE

To compare mood and motor outcomes in those with and without a presurgical history of depression.

METHODS

Unilateral subthalamic nucleus or unilateral globus pallidus internus DBS patients followed up for a minimum of 6 months were included. All patients underwent a comprehensive outpatient psychiatric evaluation by a board-certified psychiatrist. Psychiatric diagnoses were based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, fourth edition, text revision, nomenclature (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Motor and mood outcomes were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 110 patients were included. There were no significant differences in baseline variables between the 2 groups. Those with a preoperative history of depression had significantly higher Beck Depression Inventory scores than the nondepression group after DBS (8.97 ± 7.55 vs 5.92 ± 5.71; P = .04). Patients with a depression history had less improvement (11.6%) in pre/post-DBS change when Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale motor scores were compared (P = .03) after adjustment for stimulation site and baseline demographic and clinical variables. Patients with a higher levodopa equivalent dose had a worse clinical motor outcome.

CONCLUSION

Patients with a preoperative depression history had higher Beck Depression Inventory scores after DBS and significantly less (albeit small) improvement in pre/post-DBS change in Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale motor scores than patients without a history of depression.

Are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors associated with greater apathy in Parkinson's disease?

Apathy is a common neuropsychiatric feature of Parkinson's disease (PD), but little is known of relationships between apathy and specific medications in PD. Following a retrospective database and chart review of 181 Parkinson's patients, relationships between Apathy Scale scores and use of psychotropic and antiparkinsonian medications were examined with multiple regression. Controlling for age, sex, education, and depression, the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), but not other antidepressants, was associated with greater apathy. Use of monoamine oxidase B inhibitors was associated with less apathy. Longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate a potential SSRI-induced apathy syndrome in PD.

Mood and motor trajectories in Parkinson's disease: multivariate latent growth curve modeling

OBJECTIVE

Apathy is a common feature of Parkinson's disease (PD) that can manifest independently of depression, but little is known about its natural progression in medically managed patients. The present study sought to characterize and compare trajectories of apathy, depression, and motor symptoms in PD over 18 months.

METHOD

Data from a sample of 186 PD patients (mean disease duration of 8.2 years) followed by the University of Florida Movement Disorders Center were obtained from a clinical research database. Scores on the Unified Parkinson's disease Rating Scale (motor portion), Apathy Scale, and Beck Depression Inventory at three time-points (baseline, 6 months, 18 months) were analyzed in a structural equation modeling framework.

RESULTS

A multivariate growth model controlling for age, sex, education, and disease duration identified linear worsening of both apathy (slope estimate = 0.73; p < .001) and motor symptoms (slope estimate = 1.51; p < .001), and quadratic changes in depression (slope estimate = 1.18; p = .07). All symptoms were positively correlated. Higher education was associated with lower apathy, depression, and motor severity. Advanced age was associated with greater motor and apathy severity. Female sex and longer disease duration were associated with attenuated motor worsening. Antidepressant use was associated only with depression scores.

CONCLUSIONS

These longitudinal results support the differentiation of apathy and depression in PD. Like motor progression, apathy progression may be linked at least partially to dopaminergic neurodegeneration. Empirically supported treatments for apathy in PD are needed.

Usefulness of Screening Tools for Predicting Driving Performance in People With Parkinson’s Disease

OBJECTIVE. We used screening tests administered by a certified driving rehabilitation specialist and by Parkinson’s disease (PD) specialty neurologists to develop a model to predict on-road outcomes for patients with PD.

METHOD. We administered a battery of screening tests to 41 patients with PD and 41 age-matched control participants before on-road testing. We used statistical models to predict actual on-road performance.

RESULTS. The PD group had a higher failure rate, indicating more on-road errors. For the PD participants, the Useful Field of View (UFOV) Subtest 2 and Rapid Pace Walk were responsible for most of the variance in the on-road test. The model accurately categorized pass–fail outcomes for 81% of PD patients.

CONCLUSION. Clinical screening batteries may be predictive of driving performance in PD. The UFOV Subtest 2, administered in approximately 15 min, may be the single most useful clinical test for such predictions.

Measurement of patient-centered outcomes in Parkinson's disease: what do patients really want from their treatment?

BACKGROUND

Parkinson's disease (PD) impacts several domains of functioning, some of which may be neglected when designing treatment or evaluating outcome using current clinical standards. We therefore argue that taking the patients' perspectives of their condition may allow for a more in-depth assessment of patient goals and subsequent tailoring of care.

METHODS

One hundred and forty-eight patients with idiopathic PD completed a modified version of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Questionnaire (PCOQ-PD), to evaluate treatment success and expectations from the patient's perspective across 10 motor and non-motor functional domains. We also examined patient subgroups based on importance of improvement in various domains.

RESULTS

Patients' ratings suggested there was substantial variation in functional interference that was generally unrelated to demographic variables. On average, across all domains, patients indicated a 50.32% reduction in symptoms would be successful (range = 40.63-58.23%), regardless of treatment experience. Change scores between patients' usual levels of symptom interference and their treatment success levels suggested a greater degree of change was desired in motor versus non-motor domains (p < 0.05). Finally, cluster analyses revealed two patient subgroups based on overall importance of improvement (High vs. Low Importance Endorsement). Notably, the two groups differed in self-reported usual symptom levels despite having similar clinical severity.

CONCLUSIONS

We empirically examined treatment success from the PD patient's view as opposed to clinician judgment alone, thereby broadening the set of criteria by which to evaluate outcome. Findings from this exploratory study may guide future treatment emphases and guide patient-provider communication via clarification of patient-defined success.