Impulse control disorders following subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation in Parkinson’s disease : a retrospective analysis

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is considered in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) when there is suboptimal control of motor symptoms. While effective at improving some of these symptoms, its effect on impulsive behaviour can be variable. This retrospective analysis examines the incidence of post-operative impulse control disorders (ICDs) in PD patients who underwent bilateral STN-DBS surgery between January 2011 and December 2018.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire based on the DSM-5 criteria was used for data collection.

RESULTS: The patient cohort involved a total of 38 patients. Questionnaires were returned by 36 patients (95%). Seven patients (19%) fulfilled diagnostic criteria for ICDs, while six patients (17%) showed features of ICDs that did not fulfill diagnostic criteria.

CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of our patient cohort reported impulsive behaviour following STN- DBS surgery. This finding therefore warrants evaluation during the follow up visits of such patients.