Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery
Volume 112, Issue 3 , Pages 213-217, April 2010

Effects of subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation on sweating function in Parkinson's disease

  • Eftichia Trachani

      Affiliations

    • Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Rio-Partras 26504, Greece
    • ,
  • Constantine Constantoyannis

      Affiliations

    • Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
    • ,
  • Vassiliki Sirrou

      Affiliations

    • Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Rio-Partras 26504, Greece
    • ,
  • Zinovia Kefalopoulou

      Affiliations

    • Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
    • ,
  • Elli Markaki

      Affiliations

    • Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
    • ,
  • Elisabeth Chroni

      Affiliations

    • Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Rio-Partras 26504, Greece
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +30 2610 999485; fax: +30 2610 993949.

Received 14 April 2009; received in revised form 21 November 2009; accepted 26 November 2009.

Abstract 

Purpose

To assess the impact of subthalamic nucleus (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) on the sweating function in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods

Nineteen patients with idiopathic PD (mean age±SD, 61.58±9.47) were examined immediately before and 6 months after DBS. Each examination session included registration of autonomic symptoms by means of a semi-structural questionnaire and recording of sympathetic skin response (SSR) from both palms and one sole. The neurophysiological measurements were compared to those of 19 matched for sex and age healthy controls.

Results

Six months post-DBS motor improvement was amounted to 65.9% and the daily levodopa equivalent dose was decreased by 36.4%. Post-operatively, dyshidrosis manifestations were reduced by 66.7% (pre-DBS sudomotor dysfunction in 47.4% of patients and sudomotor fluctuation in 57.1% of the above patients). There were no significant differences in-between pre- and post-DBS results of SSR study. However, the number of patients with at least one abnormal SSR pre-operative was reduced from 6 to 3 post-operative. No correlation was found between this neurophysiological finding and the change of clinical symptoms of hyperhidrosis or the DBS motor improvement.

Conclusions

These results, although based on a small sample, suggest that STN DBS, in addition to the effect to the mobility, might also favorably regulate sweat in idiopathic PD.

Keywords: Parkinson's disease, Sweating, Sympathetic skin response, Subthalamic nucleus stimulation, Autonomic disturbances

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PII: S0303-8467(09)00312-6

doi:10.1016/j.clineuro.2009.11.015

Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery
Volume 112, Issue 3 , Pages 213-217, April 2010

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