Palladial versus Subthalamic deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease

When I was eleven my grandfather died of Parkinson's disease. Back then I really didnt know what it was, but now that I'm older I wanted to look it up and find out some methods for treating it. That being said this article compares two different methods of deep-brain stimulation for it's treatment.

In this study the comparison of deep-brain stimulation of the globus pallidus interna and the subthalamic nucleus were compared. In a group of 299 subjects of age 21 or older with stage 2 or higher disease were chosen for the study. 127 of them were give medication while 128 were given deep-brain stimulation, randomly selected to be either paladial or subthalamic. Another 61 were also given only stimulation after the compa

The patients underwent a 24-month observation and follow up period which included using a baseline of part 3 of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale. UPDRS-III (motor subscale). This test was repeated at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. This was supplemented with other exams and even the keeping of daily journal. At the end of the 24 months both types of stimulation had a reduction in about 11 points on the UPDRS-III and slightly increased motor function, with no significant difference. There was also no significant difference in the amount or severity of adverse effects from the surgery. There was slight differences when it came to secondary outcomes with a decrease in medication for patients undergoing subthalamic stimulation.rison group.

In conclusion both sites were deemed equal for deep-brain stimulation and it was advised that selection of a site should depend on the goals of the stimulation.

http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa0907083#t=article