Neuropsychological considerations for Parkinson's disease patients being considered for surgical intervention with deep brain stimulation

Abstract

In addition to their motor symptoms, patients diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) often exhibit a subcortical pattern of cognitive impairment. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is one of the treatments used to improve motor functioning in PD patients; however, studies focusing on the effects of DBS on cognition, mood, and behavior have produced mixed findings. This chapter reviews the history of various treatments for PD, the recent literature regarding DBS, and the neuropsychological outcomes in patients who undergo such surgery for the treatment of parkinsonian motor symptoms. DBS as a treatment for several other neurologic and psychiatric disorders is also discussed. In addition, case examples and recommendations for the neuropsychologist are presented.