E-MOVE reports from the 55th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of
Neurology, held in Honolulu March 29-April 5 2003. Poster numbers,
session
numbers, and pages are from Neurology 2003;60.

Bilateral subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (B-STN DBS)
changes th expected course of Parkinson's disease H Bronte-Stewart, T
Courtney, K Maguire, H Shaw, G Fujikami, G Heit
P02.059, A121

STN DBS patients remain improved versus baseline for prolonged
periods after discontinuation of medication and stimulation,
according to this study.

Nineteen bilateral STN DBS patients underwent motor and
posturalinstability testing, at baseline and 6 and 12 months post-
surgery. Post-operative evaluation occurred in the on medication on
stimulation states, as well as off/on (off medication for 12-24
hours), and off/off (off medications 29-47 hours, off stimulation 17-
23 hours).

All post-operative measures were better than the preoperative
counterparts,,despite 6-12 months disease progression. Pre-op off was
40.4, versus 32.3 and 37.5 off/off at 6 and 12 months (p<0.05 for 6
months). Pre-op on was 15.4, versus approximately 8 for both off/on
and on/on at 6 and 12 months. Postural instability improved by 100%
and 75% at 6 and 12 months (off vs. off/on).

The authors conclude the maintenance of benefit in the absence of
stimulation may represent either a prolonged therapeutic effect or
modulation of disease progression.
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