Effect of termination of subthalamic stimulation on upper limb bradykinesia in Parkinson's disease

Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus is an effective treatment for motor symptoms in advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). To determine the optimal stimulation site, multiple locations are stimulated and the clinical effect is registered. These tests require knowledge of the time characteristics of the stimulation effect. The aim of this study was to establish the time course of bradykinesia after the termination of DBS. Methods: Nine patients with chronically implanted bilateral DBS participated. Two repetitive movements were investigated: a finger-tapping task and a forearm pronatio…