HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Correspondence: Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Correspondence are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Pötter, M. Articles by Volkmann, J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Pötter, M. Articles by Volkmann, J. Related Collections Parkinson's disease/Parkinsonism Related Article

The effect of subthalamic nucleus stimulation on autogenic inhibition in Parkinson disease

From the Departments of Neurology (Drs. Pötter, Wenzelburger, Deuschl, and Volkmann) and Physiology (Dr. Illert), Christian-Albrechts-University, Kiel, Germany.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. J. Volkmann, Dept. of Neurology, Christian-Albrechts-University, Schittenhelmstrasse 10, D-24105 Kiel, Germany; e-mail: j.volkmann{at}neurologie.uni-kiel.de

Background: Recent animal experiments suggest an important role of descending input from basal ganglia to brainstem and via the reticulospinal tract (RST) to spinal cord in the genesis of motor symptoms in Parkinson disease (PD). In humans, a marker for RST activity is Ib mediated autogenic inhibition, which is reduced in PD patients. The authors investigated the effect of high frequency stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-HFS) on autogenic inhibition in PD.

Methods: In 10 controls and 10 PD patients with chronically implanted STN electrodes, the soleus H-reflex conditioned by gastrocnemius nerve stimulation (interstimulus interval 2 to 10 msec) was used to examine the effect of STN-HFS on the activity of Ib spinal interneurons.

Results: STN-HFS was able to restore the abnormally reduced autogenic inhibition. The H-reflex changes during STN-HFS significantly correlated with the clinical improvement of gait and posture.

Conclusions: Observed changes in spinal autogenic inhibition may allow measurement of the contribution of subcortical routes to the STN-HFS induced motor benefit in PD.

Received January 9, 2004. Accepted in final form July 6, 2004.

See also page 1150

G. Deuschl and J. Volkmann have received speakers’ honoraria from Medtronic, Inc.

Related Article

Subthalamic nucleus and gait disturbance: Interactions between basal ganglia and brainstem and spinal pathways?

Robert Chen and Roger Lemon
Neurology 2004 63: 1150-1151. [Full Text] [PDF]

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. Potter, J. Herzog, H. R. Siebner, F. Kopper, F. Steigerwald, G. Deuschl, and J. Volkmann Subthalamic nucleus stimulation modulates audiospinal reactions in Parkinson disease Neurology, April 15, 2008; 70(16_Part_2): 1445 - 1451. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Herzog, P. H. Weiss, A. Assmus, B. Wefer, C. Seif, P. M. Braun, M. O. Pinsker, H. Herzog, J. Volkmann, G. Deuschl, et al. Improved sensory gating of urinary bladder afferents in Parkinson's disease following subthalamic stimulation Brain, January 1, 2008; 131(1): 132 - 145. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Sailer, D. I. Cunic, G. O. Paradiso, C. A. Gunraj, A. Wagle-Shukla, E. Moro, A. M. Lozano, A. E. Lang, and R. Chen Subthalamic nucleus stimulation modulates afferent inhibition in Parkinson disease Neurology, January 30, 2007; 68(5): 356 - 363. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Chen and R. Lemon Subthalamic nucleus and gait disturbance: Interactions between basal ganglia and brainstem and spinal pathways? Neurology, October 12, 2004; 63(7): 1150 - 1151. [Full Text] [PDF]