Quantitative sensory evaluation in patients with Parkinson's Disease undergoing deep brain stimulation

• Grant number: 10/19392-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: May 01, 2011
• End date: April 30, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Daniel Ciampi Araujo de Andrade
• Grantee: Daniel Ciampi Araujo de Andrade
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Egberto Reis Barbosa ; Manoel Jacobsen Teixeira ; Ricardo Galhardoni

Abstract

Idiopathic Parkinson Disease (IPD) is caused by progressive degeneration of different neuron groups and particular dopaminergic neurons, progressively affecting the entire central nervous system and especially the brain stem. The clinical manifestation can be either motor (bradykinesia, muscle rigidity, resting tremor, dyskinesia) or non-motor (mood swings, olfactory loss, sensory abnormalities, sleep disturbances). Neuromodulation techniques such as deep brain stimulation have been used increasingly and are now the mainstay treatment for patients with refractory motor complications. Despite the widespread use of DBS, little is known about its effects in non-motor symptoms of the disease. Aims: To evaluate prospectively and quantitatively the effects of deep brain stimulation on the sensory profile of patients with IPD. Methods: The study will involve 25 patients diagnosed with IPD. Two experiment sessions will take place before the surgical procedure and six month later. In the first experiment session, the patient will be evaluated clinically in the "OFF state" (12-hour-washout of medications) and wiil undego a full quantitative sensory test battery. The post surgical evaluation will be conducted after the patient stops taking, after 12 hours, Parkinson's medication (OFF state), and ON (stimulation) condition. Results will be compared to motor improvement after surgery. (AU)