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Neurohistopathological findings of the brain parenchyma after long-term deep brain stimulation: Case series and systematic literature review

Vivanco-Suarez J, Woodiwiss T, Fiock KL, Hefti MM, Uc EY, Narayanan NS, Greenlee JDW

Parkinsonism & related disorders, 2025

59 participants · 1 citation

Abstract

Introduction: Efficacy of deep brain stimulation (DBS) is established for several movement and psychiatric disorders. However, the mechanism of action and local tissue changes are incompletely described. We describe neurohistopathological findings of 9 patients who underwent DBS for parkinsonism and performed a systematic literature review on postmortem pathologic reports post-DBS.

Methods: We performed a retrospective study of patients who underwent DBS for Parkinsonism between 2000 and 2023 and had postmortem neurohistopathological assessments. Demographics and clinical features were collected. Levodopa equivalent daily dose (LEDD) and total electrical energy delivered (TEED) were calculated. A systematic literature review was conducted.

Results: Postmortem assessment of 9 DBS patients was performed (7 Parkinson's disease [PD], 1 Parkinsonism, 1 Multiple System Atrophy with pre-DBS clinical diagnosis of PD). Median age at DBS was 65 years (range, 54-69), 8 were male. Subthalamic nucleus was targeted in 8 patients, globus pallidus in 1. Median DBS duration was 65 months (range, 7-264). Post-DBS LEDD reduction was found in 7/9 patients and TEED increased over time in all cases. There were no DBS-related deaths. Neurohistopathological assessment showed gliosis in 7 patients and activated microglial infiltration in 1. In the literature (between 1977 and 2021), 59 patients with postmortem post-DBS findings were identified: 26 (44 %) PD, 20 (34 %) pain, and 13 (22 %) other…

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Evidence Hub reads this as a systematic review, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 59 participants or records.

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