Subthalamic deep brain stimulation versus best medical treatment: a 12-year follow-up. ; Belgique

peer reviewed ; Purpose Electrical stimulation of the sub-thalamic nucleus (STN-DBS) is well established to alleviate motor fluctuations in advanced Parkinson’s disease but little is known about its very long-term efficacy. Methods We followed over 12 years 15 parkinsonian patients having undergone STN-DBS and compared them to a matched group of 14 patients with best medical drug therapy. All had been considered as good candidates for surgery. They were allocated to each group depending on their own decision. Results After 12 years, mortality rates were similar in both groups. In the DBS group... Mehr ...