Objective: Compare the ON and OFF cognitive performance of patients with PD receiving Subthalamic nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation (STN-DBS) using a computerized neuropsycological battery called CompCog.

Background: Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation (STN-DBS) has become an alternative in the treatment of movement disorders [1], including Parkinson Disease. CompCog contains tests that evaluate reaction time, implied learning, visuospatial working memory, face recognition and memory, inhibitory control, selective attention and survey [2]. Due to not only presenting motor symptoms, it is necessary to assess the non-motor symptoms, in this case, the PD patients cognition.

Method: Descriptive analysis and t-test comparing ON and OFF results from CompCog subtests of 7 subjects with PD receiving STN-DBS evaluated by a neuropsychological battery (figure 1 to figure 7).

Results: The sample consisted of 7 patients with a mean age of 61.43 (± 11.22) years and average schooling of 12.29 (± 6.26) years. No significant statistical difference was found between correct responses, median reaction times and total times of most of the subtests analyzed, except for the total time of the Choice Reaction Time Test (t (6) = -3.255, p <0.05) and in the mean reaction time of the Face Recognition and Memory Test (t (6) = 6.259, p = 0.001).

Conclusion: Despite finding different means in the performance of patients in the evaluated functions, with stimulation ON and OFF, we can not speak of statistically significant differences. This is an important data to be discussed, since DBS is an intervention whose objective is motor improvement and not finding a negative effect on cognition becomes a good finding. These patients are part of a preliminary study, in which we seek to increase the sample.

References: [1] Nasser, JA; Falavigna, A; Alaminos, A; Bonatelli, AP; Ferraz, F. (2002) Estimulação Cerebral Contínua (DBS) Subtalâmica para Controle do Tremor. Arquivos de Neuropsiquiatria, 60(2-B). [2] Charchat-Fichman, H; Nitrini, R; Caramelli, P; Sameshima, K. (2008) A new Brief computerized cognitive screening battery (CompCogs) for early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia & Neuropsychologia, 2(1), pp. 13-19.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/cognitive-profile-of-patients-with-parkinsons-disease-and-subthalamic-nucleus-deep-brain-stimulation/