Does dopamine still have a leading role in advanced Parkinson's disease after subthalamic stimulation?

The role of endogenous dopamine in severe Parkinson's disease is often underestimated. We report on a case of acute general motor worsening induced by the ingestion of fluphenazine in a parkinsonian patient successfully treated with STN DBS. Other etiologies were ruled out. Clinical improvement was gradual and fully reversible 4 days after discontinuation of the antidopaminergic drug. We suggest that residual striatal and extrastriatal dopaminergic pathways still play a paramount role in mediating central neurotrasmissions that may take part in STN DBS's mechanism of action.