Publications by authors named "Elisabeth Torka"

Article Synopsis
  • Advanced therapies (ATs) like deep brain stimulation and pump therapies are used for advanced Parkinson's disease but may lose effectiveness or cause side effects, necessitating changes or combinations of treatments.
  • A nationwide study in Germany analyzed data from 22 centers to assess the effects and reasons for modifications in these ATs, using retrospective questionnaires to gather relevant clinical information since 2005.
  • Results showed that 148 modifications across 116 patients led to significant improvements in symptom control and reduced side effects, with the main reasons for changes being inadequate symptom management and side effects from previous treatments.
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Objectives: The dentato-rubro-thalamic tract (DRTT) has been found to play a major role in the mechanisms of tremor alleviation by deep brain stimulation (DBS) in essential tremor (ET). Still, the influence of the two different parts of the DRTT, consisting of crossing and nondecussating fibers, is not yet clear with respect to tremor reduction. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of the crossing and the nondecussating part of the DRTT on tremor control in ET.

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Tractography based on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) models the structural connectivity of the human brain. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) targeting the subthalamic nucleus is an effective treatment for advanced Parkinson's disease, but may induce adverse effects. This study investigated the relationship between structural connectivity patterns of DBS electrodes and stimulation-induced side effects.

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Objective: Subthalamic deep brain stimulation may alleviate bradykinesia in Parkinson patients. Research suggests that this stimulation effect may be mediated by brain networks like the corticocerebellar loop. This study investigated the connectivity between stimulation sites and cortical and subcortical structures to identify connections for effective stimulation.

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