Abstract
Introduction: Expectation is one of the main factors mediating placebo and nocebo responses. In Parkinson's disease (PD) there is evidence for expectation-induced modulations of bradykinesia. Yet, little is known about the impact of expectation on resting tremor. Subthalamic nucleus (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) improves cardinal motor symptoms including tremor whereas impairment in verbal fluency (VF) has been observed as a potential side-effect. In the present study we investigated how expectation modulates the effect of STN-DBS on resting tremor and its interaction with VF [1].
Highlights
In Parkinson’s disease (PD), dopamine replacement therapy and deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) are well established and effective treatments for the cardinal symptoms resting tremor, bradykinesia and rigidity [1,2,3]
A modulation of verbal fluency has been described in relation to expectation-induced placebo responses in bradykinesia in PD patients treated with STN-DBS [21]
A placebo/ nocebo response was defined as an improvement or worsening in resting tremor of at least 10% compared to the control condition
Summary
In Parkinson’s disease (PD), dopamine replacement therapy and deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) are well established and effective treatments for the cardinal symptoms resting tremor, bradykinesia and rigidity [1,2,3]. Both treatments generally lead to improvement in motor symptoms, tremor is usually more effectively supressed by STN-DBS as compared to dopamine replacement therapy (for a review see [4]). A modulation of verbal fluency has been described in relation to expectation-induced placebo responses in bradykinesia in PD patients treated with STN-DBS [21]
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