Objective: We evaluated preoperative electroencephalography (EEG) as predictive markers for changes of neurocognitive functions following subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) in Parkinson’s disease (PD). 

Background: Deep brain stimulation provides improvement of motor fluctuation and severe dyskinesia in advanced PD. Effects on non-motor symptoms, such as neurocognitive side effects, could also influence quality of life of both of PD patients and caregivers. Changes of neurocognitive functions following STN-DBS has been described in several studies; however, predictive quantitative factors associated with postoperative neurocognitive deterioration remains unclear.

Methods: We evaluated 17 patients (10 men and 7 women) with Parkinson’s disease who underwent bilateral subthalamic deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS). The median age was 66 years (IQR 60-68). The median disease duration was 12.9 years (IQR10.5-16.8 years). Mean Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) Part III was (on/off) 16.0 ± 7.5/41.7 ± 13.8. Mean L-dopa equivalent dose (LED) was 1022 ± 189 mg. Median MMSE was 30 (IQR 28.5-30). Scalp EEG was recorded at rest preoperatively and referenced to average of all contacts. After artifact rejection, mean frequency was calculated in all contacts using the two sets of 10-sec EEG records. Wechsler adult intelligence scale (WAIS-III) was employed to evaluate cognitive function preoperatively and one year after STN-DBS. Differences of scores between before and one year after surgery were also calculated. 

Results: STN-DBS significantly improved UPDRS part III score. LED was significantly reduced one year after surgery. Age and change of UPDRS part III did not correlate change of indices of WAIS-III. Mean preoperative EEG frequency was 10.5 ± 1.9 Hz. We divided the patients into two groups according to mean frequency (L group<11 Hz (n=10); H group≥11 Hz (n=7)). We did find no significant difference of age, diseases duration or UPDRS part III between two groups. Change of working memory index was significantly different between two groups (L group, -3.5/ H group +6.1). Changes of verbal comprehension, perceptional organization or processing speed did not demonstrate significant differences between before and after surgery.

Conclusions: Preoperative slowing of EEG might be associated with postoperative deterioration of working memory. 

« Back to 2017 International Congress

MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/preoperative-slowing-of-eeg-and-neurocognitive-changes-following-subthalamic-nucleus-deep-brain-stimulation-in-parkinsons-disease/