BackgroundThe effects of subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) on the cognition and mood of patients with PD are still not uniformly concluded, and young-onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD) is even less explored.ObjectiveTo observe the effectiveness of STN-DBS on the cognition and mood of YOPD patients.MethodsA total of 27 subjects, with a mean age at onset of 39.48 ± 6.24 and age at surgery for STN-DBS of 48.44 ± 4.85, were followed up preoperatively and for 2 years postoperatively. Using the Unified Parkinson disease rating scale (UPDRS), H&Y(Hoehn and Yahr stage), 39-Item Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39), Mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) to assess motor, cognition, and mood.ResultsAt the 2-year follow-up after STN-DBS, YOPD patients showed significant improvements in motor and quality of life (UPDRS III: p < 0.001, PDQ-39: p < 0.001); overall cognition was not significantly different from preoperative (MMSE: p = 0.275, MoCA: p = 0.913), although language function was significantly impaired compared to preoperative (MMSE: p = 0.004, MoCA: p = 0.009); depression and anxiety symptoms also improved significantly (HAMD: p < 0.001, HAMA: p < 0.001) and the depression score correlated significantly with motor (preoperative: r = 0.493, p = 0.009), disease duration (preoperative: r = 0.519, p = 0.006; postoperative: r = 0.406, p = 0.036) and H&Y (preoperative: r = 0.430, p = 0.025; postoperative: r = 0.387, p = 0.046); total anxiety scores were also significantly correlated with motor (preoperative: r = 0.553, p = 0.003; postoperative: r = 0.444, p = 0.020), disease duration (preoperative: r = 0.417, p = 0.031), PDQ-39 (preoperative: r = 0.464, p = 0.015) and H&Y (preoperative: r = 0.440, p = 0.022; postoperative: r = 0.526, p = 0.005).ConclusionSTN-DBS is a safe and effective treatment for YOPD. The mood improved significantly, and overall cognition was not impaired, were only verbal fluency decreased but did not affect the improvement in quality of life.
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Dr. David Lowemann, M.Sc, Ph.D., is a co-founder of the Institute for the Future of Human Potential, where he leads the charge in pioneering Self-Enhancement Science for the Success of Society. With a keen interest in exploring the untapped potential of the human mind, Dr. Lowemann has dedicated his career to pushing the boundaries of human capabilities and understanding.
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