Elucidating the systemic effects of deep brain stimulation in Parkinson's disease with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)

Objective: While deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) significantly improved the therapeutic options in Parkinson's disease, the direct mechanisms of DBS are poorly understood. To elucidate the systemic mechanisms of DBS, we pursued a multidisciplinary approach using preoperative high resolution DTI imaging and postoperative analysis of electrode positions, clinical outcome and stimulation parameters. Methods: Fifteen idiopathic PD patients (11 males, age 63.3±8.2,H&Y=3.5±0.8) were selected for DBS. Preoperative T1 and DTI at 3T and postoperative T1 images at 1.5T were recorded. Probabil…