Immediate and sustained relief of levodopa-induced dyskinesias after dorsal relocation of a deep brain stimulation lead

Abstract

The authors demonstrate that high-frequency electrical stimulation dorsal to the subthalamic nucleus (STN) can directly suppress levodopa-induced dyskinesias. This 63-year-old woman with idiopathic Parkinson disease underwent surgery for placement of bilateral subthalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrodes to control progressive rigidity, motor fluctuations, and levodopa-induced dyskinesias. The model 3389 DBS leads were implanted with microelectrode guidance. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed proper placement of the leads. Postoperatively the patient exhibited improvement in all of her parkinsonian symptoms; however, her right leg dyskinesias had not improved. Based on their previous experiences treating levodopa-induced dyskinesias with subthalamic stimulation through the more dorsally located contacts of the model 3387 lead, the authors withdrew the implanted 3389 lead 3 mm. Following relocation of the lead they were able to suppress the right leg dyskinesias by using the most dorsal contacts. The patient's dopaminergic medication intake increased slightly. These findings indicate that electrical stimulation dorsal to the STN can directly suppress levodopa-induced dyskinesias independent of dopaminergic medication changes. The 3389 lead may provide inadequate coverage of the subthalamic region for some patients.