Gait and Balance Changes with Investigational Peripheral Nerve Cell Therapy during Deep Brain Stimulation in People with Parkinson's Disease.

ABSTRACT: The efficacy of deep brain stimulation (DBS) and dopaminergic therapy is known to decrease over time. Hence, a new investigational approach combines implanting autologous injury-activated peripheral nerve grafts (APNG) at the time of bilateral DBS surgery to the globus pallidus interna. In a study where APNG was unilaterally implanted into the substantia nigra, we explored the effects on clinical gait and balance assessments over two years in 14 individuals with Parkinson's disease. Computerized gait and balance evaluations were performed without medication, and stimulation was in the off state for at least 12 h to best assess the role of APNG implantation alone. We hypothesized that APNG might improve gait and balance deficits associated with PD. While people with a degenerative movement

SUBMITTER: Gera G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8071359 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature