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John and everyone, Re your DBS questions - >Every major teaching center is conducting studies on the neuropsychological >and neurophysiological effects of stimulation on the cognitive process. >Several are in the NYU Medical Center study and I am in a local study here >in Oklahoma City. > >The 11 patient study said: > > >Discussion: > >When did you have your dbs procedure done? MAY 1999 > >What if any of the above did you experience? >The non-predominate hand was weaker after dbs. NO > >Rapid visual scanning and transposition were also found to be impaired. NO > >Bimanual co-ordination may decline following bilateral STN DBS, especially >under conditions involving divided attention. >NOT SURE >Some patients complained of feeling 'more clumsy' yet 'quicker', probably >indicating their reduction in bradykinesia, but had increased difficulties >when motor tasks required more complex mental processes for successful >execution. YES > >The majority of patients declined significantly on phonemic fluency and >category/semantic fluency and did not recover over the first follow-up year. >YES SIGNIFICANT DECREASE. >In your opinion are you optimally tuned? >PROBABLY >Have you had any behavioral changes? >LESS MOTIVATION TO INITIATE AND DO THINGS >What percentage reduction of medication have you achieved since your >procedure? FROM 9-10 SINEMET PER DAY TO 1/2 TAB /DAY REQUIP 22 MG / DAY >TO 6 MG /DAY AMANTIDINE STAYED AT 300 MG/DAY >Is your attention span less now? >SOME DECREASE >Have you noticed any degradation of your creative skills since the procedure? >MILD >Is multi-tasking more difficult now? >NO >If you were given anti-seizure medicine after the procedure, how long did >you have to take it? >NOT GIVEN EVEN WITH THE NEGATIVES I RECOMMEND THE PROCEDURE FOR THOSE WHO ARE SEVERELY DEBILITATED BY PD. I NO LONGER FREEZE- EVER- AND HAVE MORE MOBILITY THAN BEFORE THE SURGERY. I AM ABLE TO DRIVE SHORT DISTANCES AND NO LONGER USE MY WHEEL CHAIR EXCEPT FOR TRAVELING. I USE A WALKER BECAUSE OF POLIO I HAD AS A CHILD BUT CAN WALK SHORT DISTANCES UNASSISTED. GOOD LUCK JOHN AND MARGARET. CHARLIE Charles T. Meyer, M.D. Middleton, WI PD DX 12 years (at age 44) Age 56