Matteo Bologna, Alfonso Fasano, Nicola Modugno, Giovanni Fabbrini, Alfredo Berardelli
Neuromed Institute (IRCSS), Pozzilli (IS), Italy.
Experimental neurology 2012 MayIn this study we asked whether subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) alone, or in combination with l-dopa, modifies voluntary, spontaneous and reflex blinking in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Sixteen PD patients who underwent STN-DBS were studied in four experimental conditions: without STN-DBS and without l-dopa, STN-DBS alone, l-dopa alone and STN-DBS plus l-dopa. The results were compared with those obtained in 15 healthy controls. Voluntary blinking was assessed by asking participants to blink as fast as possible; spontaneous blinking was recorded during two 60s rest periods; reflex blinking was evoked by electrical stimulation of the supraorbital nerve. Blinking were recorded and analysed with the SMART motion system. STN-DBS increased the peak velocity and amplitude for both the closing and opening voluntary blink phases, but prolonged the inter-phase pause duration. l-dopa had no effects on voluntary blinking but reversed the increased inter-phase pause duration seen during STN-DBS. Spontaneous blink rate increased after either STN-DBS or l-dopa. Reflex blinking kinematics were not modified by STN-DBS or l-dopa. The STN-DBS effects on voluntary blinking kinematics and spontaneous blinking rate may occur as results of changes of cortico-basal ganglia activity. The prolonged pause duration of voluntary blinking indicates that STN-DBS has detrimental effects on the cranial region. These results also shed light on the pathophysiology of eyelids opening apraxia following STN-DBS. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Matteo Bologna, Alfonso Fasano, Nicola Modugno, Giovanni Fabbrini, Alfredo Berardelli. Effects of subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation and L-DOPA on blinking in Parkinson's disease. Experimental neurology. 2012 May;235(1):265-72
PMID: 22366535
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