Neuropsychological effects of bilateral STN stimulation in Parkinson disease: a controlled study.

Objective: To evaluate the cognitive and behavioral effects of bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) stimulation in patients with Parkinson disease (PD).

Methods: The authors included 103 patients; 99 patients were evaluated 6 months after surgery. A control group of 39 patients with PD was formed and 36 patients were evaluated 6 months later.

Unilateral pallidotomy versus bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation in PD--a comparison of neuropsychological effects.

Objective: To compare the cognitive and behavioural effects of unilateral pallidotomy and bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) stimulation.

Methods: After baseline examination 34 patients were randomly assigned to unilateral pallidotomy (4 left-sided, 10 right-sided) or bilateral STN stimulation (n = 20). At baseline and six and twelve months after surgery we administered neuropsychological tests of language, memory, visuospatial function, mental speed and executive functions.

Unilateral pallidotomy in PD: a controlled study of cognitive and behavioral effects. The Netherlands Pallidotomy Study (NEPAS) group.

Objective: To investigate whether unilateral pallidotomy affects cognitive and behavioral functioning.

Methods: At baseline and after 6 months we assessed neuropsychological functioning in 35 patients with advanced PD. After baseline examination, patients were randomized to pallidotomy within 1 month (6 left-sided, 13 right-sided) or to pallidotomy after follow-up assessment 6 months later (n = 16; control group).

[Are memory courses effective?].

After a general overview of the many forms, aims and methods of memory courses, especially in the Netherlands, a strategy-oriented memory course for healthy elderly in a residential home is evaluated. The participants (N = 18) were compared with control subjects from the same home of comparable age, level of education and memory performance. Significant effects of the course could be demonstrated on subjective measures of memory but not on objective and 'ecologically valid' memory tests.

[Measurements of aphasic disorders. A brief description of the SAN-battery].

A Dutch test series for the measurement of aphasic disturbances is introduced. Factor analyses demonstrate three factors that can be interpreted clearly as spontaneous speech, production and comprehension of speech. This structure is very stable during a follow-up of one year.