Abstract
We monitored cognition during Deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery, when the electrode is positioned at the target subthalamic nucleus (i.e., STN motor area) in 14 PD patients. We present the Real Time Neuropsychological Testing (DBS-RTNT) protocol, our preliminary experience, along with patients' performance comparing intraoperative results with baseline data. Compared to baseline, DBS-RTNT in the target area showed a significantly decreased performance at some tasks belonging to memory and executive functions domains. Significantly decreased short-term memory and sequencing scores were found for right (vs. left) hemisphere DBS-RTNT. PD patients' performance should be monitored during DBS surgery as STN-DBS may induce changes in cognitive performance. These preliminary data contribute to improve, during DBS-surgery the anatomo-functional topography of the STN in order to identify, in future approaches, in the individual patient the best site producing positive motor effects, without causing negative cognitive and/or emotional changes. Medications (i.e., the patients underwent surgery in a levodopa off state) could in principle have influenced our results therefore future studies are needed to address possible confounding effect of levodopa use.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
