Microstructure is associated with motor outcomes following Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson’s disease

Abstract Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS) is an established intervention for alleviating both motor and non-motor symptoms in advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, patient outcomes may vary widely, underscoring the need for predictive biomarkers. Neuroimaging techniq...

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Main Authors: Philipp Alexander Loehrer, Julia Freigang, Miriam H. A. Bopp, Alexander Calvano, Haidar S. Dafsari, Julius Wichmann, Amelie Seidel, Carolin Aberle, Susanne Knake, Christopher Nimsky, Lars Timmermann, Marcus Belke, David J. Pedrosa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:npj Parkinson's Disease
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41531-025-00930-3
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author Philipp Alexander Loehrer
Julia Freigang
Miriam H. A. Bopp
Alexander Calvano
Haidar S. Dafsari
Julius Wichmann
Amelie Seidel
Carolin Aberle
Susanne Knake
Christopher Nimsky
Lars Timmermann
Marcus Belke
David J. Pedrosa
author_facet Philipp Alexander Loehrer
Julia Freigang
Miriam H. A. Bopp
Alexander Calvano
Haidar S. Dafsari
Julius Wichmann
Amelie Seidel
Carolin Aberle
Susanne Knake
Christopher Nimsky
Lars Timmermann
Marcus Belke
David J. Pedrosa
author_sort Philipp Alexander Loehrer
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS) is an established intervention for alleviating both motor and non-motor symptoms in advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, patient outcomes may vary widely, underscoring the need for predictive biomarkers. Neuroimaging techniques, such as neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI), a biophysical model-based MRI technique, offer promise in forecasting clinical outcomes and supporting preoperative counseling. This prospective, open-label study aimed to identify microstructural markers that correlate with short-term motor outcomes following STN-DBS in PD patients. Thirty-five patients underwent diffusion MRI and comprehensive clinical evaluations preoperatively and six months postoperatively. Evaluations were performed in the ON-medication as well as ON-medication/ON-stimulation state. A whole-brain voxel-wise analysis was conducted to explore associations between microstructural metrics and motor outcomes. Permutation-based statistical methods were applied to adjust for multiple comparisons. Intact microstructure in the bilateral putamen, bilateral insula, and left pallidum was significantly associated with a greater postoperative motor symptom improvement. Additionally, preserved microstructure in the pre- and postcentral gyrus and right precuneus was associated with increased duration with good mobility and without troublesome dyskinesia, and reduced time with poor mobility. These findings suggest that diffusion MRI may serve as valuable tool for identifying patients likely to exhibit favorable motor outcomes following STN-DBS. Incorporating microstructural data into preoperative counseling could enhance patient selection and optimize therapeutic strategies.
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spelling doaj-art-7da008b6f73a4a34ad148baf1e6fd5b82025-08-20T04:01:26ZengNature Portfolionpj Parkinson's Disease2373-80572025-04-011111910.1038/s41531-025-00930-3Microstructure is associated with motor outcomes following Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson’s diseasePhilipp Alexander Loehrer0Julia Freigang1Miriam H. A. Bopp2Alexander Calvano3Haidar S. Dafsari4Julius Wichmann5Amelie Seidel6Carolin Aberle7Susanne Knake8Christopher Nimsky9Lars Timmermann10Marcus Belke11David J. Pedrosa12Department of Neurology, Philipps-University MarburgDepartment of Neurology, Philipps-University MarburgDepartment of Neurosurgery, Philipps-University MarburgDepartment of Neurology, Philipps-University MarburgDepartment of Neurology, University Hospital CologneDepartment of Neurology, Philipps-University MarburgDepartment of Neurology, Philipps-University MarburgDepartment of Neurology, Philipps-University MarburgDepartment of Neurology, Philipps-University MarburgDepartment of Neurosurgery, Philipps-University MarburgDepartment of Neurology, Philipps-University MarburgDepartment of Neurology, Philipps-University MarburgDepartment of Neurology, Philipps-University MarburgAbstract Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS) is an established intervention for alleviating both motor and non-motor symptoms in advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, patient outcomes may vary widely, underscoring the need for predictive biomarkers. Neuroimaging techniques, such as neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI), a biophysical model-based MRI technique, offer promise in forecasting clinical outcomes and supporting preoperative counseling. This prospective, open-label study aimed to identify microstructural markers that correlate with short-term motor outcomes following STN-DBS in PD patients. Thirty-five patients underwent diffusion MRI and comprehensive clinical evaluations preoperatively and six months postoperatively. Evaluations were performed in the ON-medication as well as ON-medication/ON-stimulation state. A whole-brain voxel-wise analysis was conducted to explore associations between microstructural metrics and motor outcomes. Permutation-based statistical methods were applied to adjust for multiple comparisons. Intact microstructure in the bilateral putamen, bilateral insula, and left pallidum was significantly associated with a greater postoperative motor symptom improvement. Additionally, preserved microstructure in the pre- and postcentral gyrus and right precuneus was associated with increased duration with good mobility and without troublesome dyskinesia, and reduced time with poor mobility. These findings suggest that diffusion MRI may serve as valuable tool for identifying patients likely to exhibit favorable motor outcomes following STN-DBS. Incorporating microstructural data into preoperative counseling could enhance patient selection and optimize therapeutic strategies.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41531-025-00930-3
spellingShingle Philipp Alexander Loehrer
Julia Freigang
Miriam H. A. Bopp
Alexander Calvano
Haidar S. Dafsari
Julius Wichmann
Amelie Seidel
Carolin Aberle
Susanne Knake
Christopher Nimsky
Lars Timmermann
Marcus Belke
David J. Pedrosa
Microstructure is associated with motor outcomes following Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson’s disease
npj Parkinson's Disease
title Microstructure is associated with motor outcomes following Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson’s disease
title_full Microstructure is associated with motor outcomes following Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson’s disease
title_fullStr Microstructure is associated with motor outcomes following Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson’s disease
title_full_unstemmed Microstructure is associated with motor outcomes following Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson’s disease
title_short Microstructure is associated with motor outcomes following Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson’s disease
title_sort microstructure is associated with motor outcomes following deep brain stimulation in parkinson s disease
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41531-025-00930-3
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