Effect of stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus on oral control of patients with parkinsonism
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
Gentil, M., Garcia-Ruiz, P., Pollak, P., & Benabid, A. (1999) Effect of stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus on oral control of patients with parkinsonism Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, 67, 329-333
This study examined oral control in 10 patients with DBS-STN compared to 14 normal control subjects. Patients were assessed with the UPDRS and a device that measures compression forces of the lips and tongue. Compared to the off-stimulation condition, the speech item from the UPDRS improved when stimulation was on, although for only one patient was their speech described as normal. Stimulation resulted in a near-normalization of other motoric-speech variables, such as the force of lip and tongue movements and of oral-reaction time.