One side effect: two networks? Lateral and posteromedial stimulation spreads induce dysarthria in subthalamic deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease.

Background: Stimulation-induced dysarthria (SID) is a troublesome and potentially therapy-limiting side effect of deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). To date, the origin of SID, and especially whether there is an involvement of cerebellar pathways as well as the pyramidal tract, remains a matter of debate. Therefore, this study aims to shed light on structural networks associated with SID and to derive a data-driven model to predict SID in patients with PD and STN-DBS.