Low-frequency STN-DBS provides acute gait improvements in Parkinson's disease: a double-blinded randomised cross-over feasibility trial.

Background: Some people with Parkinson's disease (PD) report poorer dynamic postural stability following high-frequency deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS), which may contribute to an increased falls risk. However, some studies have shown low-frequency (60 Hz) STN-DBS improves clinical measures of postural stability, potentially providing support for this treatment. This double-blind randomised crossover study aimed to investigate the effects of low-frequency STN-DBS compared to high-frequency stimulation on objective measures of gait rhythmicity in people with PD.

Perspective: Current Pitfalls in the Search for Future Treatments and Prevention of Parkinson's Disease.

We are gradually becoming aware that there is more to Parkinson's disease (PD) than meets the eye. Accumulating evidence has unveiled a disease complexity that has not (yet) been incorporated into ongoing efforts aimed at slowing, halting or reversing the course of PD, likely underlying their lack of success. There is a substantial latency between the actual onset of PD pathology and our ability to confirm diagnosis, during which accumulating structural and functional damage might be too advanced for effective modification or protection.

Alternate Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation Parameters to Manage Motor Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: The use of alternate frequencies, amplitudes, and pulse widths to manage motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) is of clinical interest, but currently lacks systematic evidence.

Objective/hypothesis: Systematically review whether alternate STN-DBS settings influence the therapy's efficacy for managing PD motor symptoms.

Methods: Systematic searches identified studies that; involved bilateral STN-DBS PD patients; manipulated ≥ 1 STN-DBS parameter (e.

Deep brain stimulation of anteromedial globus pallidus interna for severe Tourette's syndrome.

Objective: Multiple anatomical targets for deep brain stimulation (DBS) have been proposed for the treatment of severe Tourette's syndrome. In this open study, the authors evaluated the effectiveness of DBS of the anteromedial globus pallidus interna on tic severity and common comorbidities.

Method: Eleven patients (eight of them men, mean age=39 years) with severe and medically intractable Tourette's syndrome underwent implantation of Medtronic quadripolar electrodes in the globus pallidus interna bilaterally.

Nonpharmacological treatment, fludrocortisone, and domperidone for orthostatic hypotension in Parkinson's disease.

There is limited evidence for the treatment of orthostatic hypotension in idiopathic Parkinson's disease. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of three treatments (nonpharmacological therapy, fludrocortisone, and domperidone). Phase I assessed the compliance, safety, and efficacy of nonpharmacological measures.

Development and utilization of the patient knowledge questionnaire on botulinum toxin use in movement disorders.

Following a pilot study, the 28-item Patient Knowledge Questionnaire on Botulinum Toxin Use in Movement Disorders (PKQ-BMD) was utilized to assess efficacy of current educational tools by comparing scoring of patients to that of the general population, as well as to identify information resources, target demographics for education, and key counseling topics. Of the 109 participants, the number of correct answers was higher in the patient group, while the number of incorrect answers was low in both groups. Education was the only demographic factor which affected the total score.

Teaching people with Parkinson's disease about their medication.

PD is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting an estimated 78,000 Australians. Predominantly it affects older people, although or younger. Medications to treat PD are aimed at controlling symptoms as there is no known cure.