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Hi Maryse,

Here are some general answers to the questions all in related to Parkinson's
disease patients.  Could you send me a copy of your answers? I assume the
questions were in French?

> 1) what the symptoms were prior to the surgery;
Gait disturbances, freezing, dyskinesias, and previous excellent response to
levodopa are good candidates for surgery.

> 2) change in symptoms after the surgery;
no more freezing with improved gait, great reduction of dyskinesias and
tremor, 50% less medication

> 3) how long it took to fine tune the stimulator;
two weeks and sometimes two or three months later again some fine-tuning

> 4) how long it took to fine tune the PD medications;
same as above, but sometimes somewhat more frequent

> 5) negative reactions to the surgery;
transient confusion; euphoria which may last in my experience with 85
patients quite long

> 6) would you recommend this surgery;
to anybody with advanced PD who has gaitdisturbances, but have yourself
informed very well and go to a center with excellent cooperation between the
neurologist (a movement disorder specialist is a must) and the neurosurgeon:
if they work independently don't have it done there

> 7) where was the surgery done?
there are now many centers all over the world, most experience thusfar in
Europa.  Our center has performed 85 STN surgeries.

Best regards,

Chris van der Linden, M.D.
Movement Disorder Center
St. Lucas Hospital Ghent
Ghent
BELGIUM
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