A Neural Basis for Cognitive Decline Following Deep Brain Stimulation: A DBS-fMRI Study
Medical University of South Carolina
Summary
The objective of this research study is to understand how Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) targeting the subthalamic nucleus (STN) affects cognitive networks in the brain, potentially leading to cognitive decline in patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD). A total of 55 participants with PD who have undergone DBS surgery will be recruited from MUSC's Clinical DBS Program. Participants will attend two post-DBS visits: a 3-hour visit for consent, demographic, and cognitive assessments, and a 3-hour DBS-MRI visit to evaluate brain network connectivity with stimulation ON and OFF. These findings will help improve patient selection for surgery and optimize the selection of stimulation targets that minimize undesirable cognitive side effects.
Description
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) targeting the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is a well-established surgical intervention to treat Parkinson's Disease (PD) patients with disabling motor fluctuations and dyskinesias. Although this therapy is effective for motor complications, a subset of patients will go on to experience cognitive decline, which can overshadow improvements in the quality of life provided by STN-DBS. This accelerated decline in cognition occurs in patients despite rigorous evaluation of their neuropsychological status prior to surgery. While the factors contributing to cognitive decline…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Subjects above 18 years of age * Individuals with a PD diagnosis as defined by the UK Brain Bank diagnostic criteria for Parkinson's disease (58) which have undergone a neurological and neuropsychological evaluation at MUSCs movement disorder center, and were selected to undergo 3T compatible unilateral or bilateral STN- DBS implants Exclusion Criteria: * Uncorrected visual or hearing impairments, as indicated by self-report * Individuals who are pregnant or expect to become pregnant during the course of the study * Individuals that have a history of neurological disea…
Interventions
- OtherDBS combined with fMRI
Participants will undergo fMRI scanning while their DBS device is either turned OFF or ON. BOLD (blood oxygen level dependent) changes in response to DBS will be evaluated across PD participants. These scans and DBS procedure will be used for research purposes only and are not for treatment or diagnostic purposes.
Location
- Medical University of South CarolinaCharleston, South Carolina