Stimulation-Induced Dyskinesia in STN DBS Patients

Mov Disord Clin Pract. 2025 Sep;12(9):1374-1379. doi: 10.1002/mdc3.70087. Epub 2025 Apr 18.

Abstract

Background: Stimulation-induced dyskinesia (SID) is a poorly studied and usually transient manifestation of subthalamic deep brain stimulation (STN DBS) for Parkinson's disease (PD), which can be troubling for patients.

Objectives: The aim of our study was to describe the features and management of SID in PD patients undergoing STN DBS.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study among 86 STN DBS patients. Clinical features and volume of tissue activated (VTA) were correlated to SID occurrence.

Results: SID was identified in 28 (32.6%) patients and persisted for 6 months in six patients (7.0%). VTA overlap with the right motor STN was associated (P < 0.02) with SID. Weaning dopaminergic drugs and reducing the DBS amplitude were the most used strategies to control SID.

Conclusions: SID is a relatively common complication of STN DBS and can be persistent. It often requires specific postoperative management strategies.

Keywords: Parkinson's disease; deep brain stimulation; dyskinesias; stimulation‐induced dyskinesias.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Deep Brain Stimulation* / adverse effects
  • Dyskinesias* / etiology
  • Dyskinesias* / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease* / therapy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Subthalamic Nucleus* / physiology