ABSTRACT
We conducted an open label pilot study of the effect of bilateral subthalamotomy in 18 patients with advanced Parkinson's disease. In seven patients, the first subthalamotomy pre-dated the second by 12-24 months (staged surgery). Subsequently, a second group of 11 patients received bilateral subthalamotomy on the same day (simultaneous surgery). Patients were assessed according to the CAPIT (Core Assessment Program for Intracerebral Transplantation) protocol, a battery of timed motor tests and neuropsychological tests. Evaluations were performed in the off and on drug states before surgery and at 1 and 6 months and every year thereafter for a minimum of 3 years after bilateral subthalamotomy. Compared with baseline, bilateral subthalamotomy induced a significant (P < 0.001) reduction in the 'off' (49.5 percent) and on (35.5 percent) Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor scores at the last assessment. A blind rating of videotape motor exams in the off and on medication states preoperatively and at 2 years postoperatively also revealed a significant improvement...(AU)
