Good long-term outcomes after Deep Brain Stimulation in PD patients
Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS) in Parkinson disease (PD) patients continues to be effective against motor complications beyond 15 years after surgery, a French study shows.
Researchers followed up 51 people who had a deep brain stimulation device for an average of 17 years, with implantation at an average age of 51. They found that compared to data on participants before having a device, the amount of time participants experienced dyskinesia at 15 years was reduced by 75%. The amount of time spent in an “off state” was reduced by 59% and the use of dopaminergic drugs was reduced by 51%. Researchers found few side effects of having the stimulation for 15 years and such side effects were mostly manageable.
“Our study also found that despite the natural progression of Parkinson’s disease and the worsening of some symptoms that become resistant to medications over the years, participants still maintained an overall improvement in quality of life,” said study author Dr Elena Moro of the Grenoble Alpes University.
More information in Neurology.
Neurologist to advise on voluntary assisted dying in WA
A neurologist has been appointed an one of the inaugural members of WA’s new Voluntary Assisted Dying Board.
Dr Robert Edis is a consultant neurologist with a particular interest in motor neurone disease. He is one of five members announced by WA Health Minister Roger Cook for a board that will have a mostly advisory and monitoring function in relation to voluntary assisted dying, which will become an end-of-life option for eligible Western Australians from July 1.
The board, chaired by GP and former AMA WA branch president, Dr Scott Blackwell, will ensure adherence to the legislation and report to the state government as necessary on quality and safety improvements related to voluntary assisted dying.
The latest on secondary stroke prevention
A comprehensive new guideline on the secondary prevention of stroke has reiterated the importance of defining the ischaemic stroke aetiology where possible.
Recommendations in the 104-page guideline, from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association, have therefore been grouped according to subtype.
The guidelines included diagnostic evaluation, management of vascular and lifestyle risk factors, antithrombotic therapy, comorbidities and more.
In one highlighted change since the 2014 guideline, it says it is now considered reasonable to close patent foramen ovale percutaneously in selected patients: those with younger age with nonlacunar stroke or no other cause at any age.