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Introduction: Antipsychotic-induced dystonia is a neurological side-effect and can be very disabling. Treatment is multidisciplinary, including physiotherapy., Objective: The aim was to show the contribution of physiotherapy in the management of people suffering from dystonia secondary to antipsychotics., Method: The Saint John of God Mental Health Centre in Lomé was used as the study setting. This involved a descriptive study about a case of cervical dystonia induced by antipsychotics, from 13 July to 30 August 2020., Results: Our observation concerned a male patient, aged 55 years, suffering from a persistent delirious disorder, on a poorly documented treatment, admitted for cervical dystonia and persistent delirium. A physiotherapy assessment revealed neck pain rated at 5/10, reduced neck muscle strength, and an inability to keep the neck stable at rest. He was started on olanzapine 20mg tablet a day, haloperidol decanoas injectable 50mg/month, and trihexyphenidyl 5mg tablet in the morning. Physiotherapy treatment consisted of 14 sessions using various techniques including passive-active stretching of the neck and head muscles. The evolution was marked by a significant regression of involuntary neck movements and an improvement in the patient's quality of life., Conclusion: Physiotherapy should be more involved in the management of dystonia in psychiatric practice., Competing Interests: Copyright © 2024 by West African Journal of Medicine., (The Authors declare that no competing interest exists.)

Clinical Vignette: A 23-year-old woman with pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) presented with medication-refractory generalized dystonia and an associated gait impairment., Clinical Dilemma: Bilateral globus pallidus internus (GPi) deep brain stimulation (DBS) can be an effective treatment for dystonia. However, outcomes for PKAN DBS have been variable and there are no standardized criteria for patient selection., Clinical Solution: Bilateral GPi DBS implantation resulted in improvement in dystonia and gait. The benefit has persisted over one year after implantation., Gap in Knowledge: PKAN is a rare neurodegenerative disorder and evidence supporting the use of PKAN DBS has been largely limited to case reports and case series. Consequently, there is a paucity of long-term data, especially on gait-related outcomes., Expert Commentary: The clinical characteristics of dystonia that respond to DBS tend to respond in PKAN. Clinicians counselling patients about the effects of DBS for PKAN should thoughtfully discuss gait and postural instability as important aspects to consider, especially as the disease will progress post-DBS., Competing Interests: The authors have no competing interests to declare., (Copyright: © 2024 The Author(s).)

Background: Increased 4-12 Hz oscillatory activity in the cortico-basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical (CBGTC) loop is reported in dystonia. Coherence analysis is a measure of linear coupling between two signals, revealing oscillatory activity drives that are common across motor units. By performing coherence analysis, activity of the CBGTC-loop can be measured with modalities like local field potentials (LFPs), electromyography (EMG), and electro-encephalography (EEG). The aim of this study is to perform a systematic review on the use of coherence analysis for clinical assessment and treatment of dystonia., Methods: A systematic review was performed on a search in Embase and PubMed on June 28th, 2023. All studies incorporating coherence analysis and an adult dystonia cohort were included. Three authors evaluated the eligibility of the articles. Quality was assessed using the QUADAS-2 checklist., Results: A total of 41 articles were included, with data of 395 adult dystonia patients. In the selected records, six different types of coherence were investigated: corticocortical, corticopallidal, corticomuscular, pallidopallidal, pallidomuscular, and intermuscular coherence. Various types of 4-12 coherence were found to be increased in all dystonia subtypes., Conclusion: There is increased 4-12 Hz coherence found between the cortex, basal ganglia, and affected muscles in all dystonia subtypes. However, the relationship between 4-12 Hz coherence and the dystonic clinical state has not been established. DBS treatment leads to a reduction of 4-12 Hz coherence. In combination with the results of this review, the 4-12 Hz frequency band can be used as a promising phenomenon for the development of a biomarker., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: SAJEA Lagerweij reports a grant from the Stichting Wetenschapsfonds Dystonie and a personal grant from the University of Groningen. The funder was not involved in the study. M Smit, LM Centen, JW Elting and JMC van Dijk report no disclosures. ME van Egmond participated in a training program sponsored by Medtronic and received a grant from the Stichting Wetenschapsfonds Dystonie. MAJ Tijssen reports grants from the Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development Domain: NWO-TTW (2022–9), ZonMW Topsubsidie (91218013) and ZonMW Program Translational Research(40–44,600–98-323). She also received two European Fund for Regional Development from the European Union (01492947 & DIMATIO (EFRO-0059) and a European Joint Programme on Rare Diseases (EJP RD) Networking Support Scheme. A grant from the Health Holland and the PPP allowance program (PPP-2023-00).Furthermore, from the the province of Friesland, the Stichting Wetenschapsfonds Dystonie and unrestricted grants from Ipsen, Actelion and Merz. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The complexities of unilateral dystonia have led to exploring simultaneous (dual) globus pallidus internus (GPi) and motor ventral thalamus (Vim/Vop) deep brain stimulation (DBS), yet detailed assessments are lacking., Objectives: To assess the efficacy of GPi, Vim/Vop, and dual DBS in unilateral dystonia., Methods: Three patients with unilateral dystonia (two idiopathic, one acquired), implanted with two DBS electrodes targeting ipsilateral Vim/Vop and GPi, were included. Three stimulation modalities were assessed. First, one electrode was activated, then the other, and finally, both electrodes were activated simultaneously., Results: DBS yielded substantial symptomatic reductions in all three evaluated stimulation modalities. Patients exhibited varying responses regarding quality-of-life and depressive symptoms. Treatment satisfaction didn't align with clinical improvements, potentially affected by unrealistic expectations., Conclusions: This study contributes critical insights into GPi, Vim/Vop and simultaneous stimulation for unilateral dystonia. The safety of the procedure underscores the promise of this approach., (© 2024 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.)

Introduction: Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is an established therapeutic approach for the treatment of dystonia. However, to date, no large-scale or comprehensive DBS dystonia patient registry has been yet undertaken. Here, we describe the protocol for a world-wide registry of clinical outcomes in dystonia patients implanted with DBS., Methods and Analysis: This protocol describes a multicenter, international clinical outcomes registry consisting of up to 200 prospectively enrolled participants at up to 40 different sites to be implanted with a constant-current, multiple independent current controlled (MICC) DBS device (Vercise DBS Systems, Boston Scientific) for treatment of dystonia. Key inclusion criteria for registry candidates include the following: understanding of study requirements and treatment procedures, a signed written informed consent form prior to participation, and meeting all criteria established in the locally applicable Instructions for Use (IFU) for the implanted DBS system. Key clinical endpoints include (but are not limited to) the evaluation of disease state (Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale [BFMDRS], Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS), quality of life (Short Form Health Survey-36, Short Form Health Survey-10), and treatment satisfaction (Clinical Global Impression of Change [CGI-Clinician; CGI-Subject; CGI-Caregiver]) at 6-months, 12-months, 2-years, and 3-years post-lead placement. Adverse events are documented and reported using structured questionnaires., Perspectives: Treatment of patients with dystonia using DBS has progressed considering recent technological advances. This international dystonia outcomes registry aims to collect and evaluate real-world clinical data derived from patients who have been implanted with a constant-current, MICC-equipped DBS system (with available directional capabilities), per standard of care., Competing Interests: No authors have competing interests., (Copyright: © 2024 Albanese et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus and globus pallidus internus is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating dystonia. Both targets have shown effectiveness in improving symptoms, but post-operative outcomes can vary significantly among patients. This variability has led researchers to explore alternative neuromodulation targets that might offer more consistent results. Emerging research has highlighted several promising new targets for DBS in dystonia. This review examines pre-clinical and clinical data on novel DBS targets for dystonia and explores non-invasive neuromodulation studies that shed light on the disease's underlying pathological circuitry., Competing Interests: The authors have no competing interests to declare., (Copyright: © 2024 The Author(s).)

Background: Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is FDA-approved for several movement disorders; such as Parkinson's disease, dystonia, and neuropsychiatric disorders. There are various reports of Body mass index (BMI) changes following different DBS targets in various disorders., Aim: A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to investigate the impact of DBS on patients' Body Mass Index (BMI) and provide an in-depth overview of its underlying mechanisms., Materials and Methods: We conducted research according to PRISMA guidelines. Our study assessed comprehensively electronic databases, including Pubmed, Scopus, Embase, web of science, and the Cochrane Library, up to May 2024. The random-effect model analysis was performed by the Comprehensive Meta-analysis software (CMA) version 3.0. As well, Cochran's Q test was used to determine the statistical heterogeneity of included studies., Result: This systematic review ultimately included 49 studies, 46 of which entered the meta-analysis. The total number of patients was 1478, consisting of Parkinson's disease (PD), dystonia, and the obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) patients. The most common DBS target was subthalamic nucleus, followed by globus pallidus internus (GPi). Our meta-analysis depicted the BMI of participants significantly mount after DBS electrode implantation (SMD = -0.542, 95%CI: -0.678 to -0.406, and P-value < 0.001). However, moderate to high heterogeneity was detected among the studies (I 2  = 67.566%). Additionally, the Daily energy intake (DEI) of patients significantly decreased after DBS (SMD: 0.457, 95%CI; 0.205 to 0.709, and P-value < 0.001)., Conclusion: STN and GPi DBS can lead to weight gain through distinct central pathways in various movement and neuropsychiatric disorders, posing a potential risk for obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) targeting the globus pallidus internus (GPi) and subthalamic nucleus (STN) is employed for the treatment of dystonia. Pallidal low-frequency oscillations have been proposed as a pathophysiological marker for dystonia. However, the role of subthalamic oscillations and STN-GPi coupling in relation to dystonia remains unclear., Objective: We aimed to explore oscillatory activities within the STN-GPi circuit and their correlation with the severity of dystonia and efficacy achieved by DBS treatment., Methods: Local field potentials were recorded simultaneously from the STN and GPi from 13 dystonia patients. Spectral power analysis was conducted for selected frequency bands from both nuclei, while power correlation and the weighted phase lag index were used to evaluate power and phase couplings between these two nuclei, respectively. These features were incorporated into generalized linear models to assess their associations with dystonia severity and DBS efficacy., Results: The results revealed that pallidal theta power, subthalamic beta power and subthalamic-pallidal theta phase coupling and beta power coupling all correlated with clinical severity. The model incorporating all selected features predicts empirical clinical scores and DBS-induced improvements, whereas the model relying solely on pallidal theta power failed to demonstrate significant correlations., Conclusions: Beyond pallidal theta power, subthalamic beta power, STN-GPi couplings in theta and beta bands, play a crucial role in understanding the pathophysiological mechanism of dystonia and developing optimal strategies for DBS., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Deep brain stimulation (DBS), a method in which electrical stimulation is delivered to specific areas of the brain, is an effective treatment for managing symptoms of a number of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. Clinical access to neural circuits during DBS provides an opportunity to study the functional link between neural circuits and behavior. This review discusses how the use of DBS in Parkinson's disease and dystonia has provided insights into the brain networks and physiological mechanisms that underlie motor control. In parallel, insights from basic science about how patterns of electrical stimulation impact plasticity and communication within neural circuits are transforming DBS from a therapy for treating symptoms to a therapy for treating circuits, with the goal of training the brain out of its diseased state.

Background: The evidence in the effectiveness of deep brain stimulation in children with medication-refractory non-degenerative monogenic dystonia is heterogeneous and long-term results are sparse., Objectives: The objective is to describe long-term outcomes in a single-center cohort and compare our results with a meta-analysis cohort form literature., Methods: We performed a retrospective single-center cohort study including consecutive pediatric patients with non-degenerative genetic or idiopathic dystonia treated with globus pallidus internus deep brain stimulation at our center and a systematic review and individual-patient data meta-analysis with the same inclusion criteria. The primary outcome was the change from baseline in the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale-movement (BFMDRS-M) score., Results: The clinical cohort included 25 patients with a mean study follow-up of 11.4 years. The meta-analysis cohort included 224 patients with a mean follow-up of 3 years. Overall, the BFMDRS-M mean improvements at 1 year and at last follow-up were 41% and 33% in the clinical cohort and 58.9% and 57.2% in the meta-analysis cohort, respectively. TOR1A-dystonia showed the greatest and most stable BFMDRS-M improvement in both cohorts at 1 year and at last follow-up (76.3% and 74.3% in the clinical cohort; 69.6% and 67.3% in the meta-analysis cohort), followed by SGCE-dystonia (63% and 63.9% in the meta-analysis cohort). THAP1-dystonia (70.1% and 29.8% in the clinical cohort; 52.3% and 42.0% in the meta-analysis cohort) and KMT2B-dystonia (33.3% and 41.3% in the clinical cohort; 38.0% and 26.7% in the meta-analysis cohort) showed a less pronounced or sustained response., Conclusion: Globus pallidus deep brain stimulation long-term treatment seems effective with a possible gene-specific differential effect. © 2024 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society., (© 2024 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.)

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a recognized treatment for different dystonia subtypes and has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since 2003. The European Federation of Neurological Societies (EFNS) and the International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society (MDS) recommend DBS for dystonia after failure of botulinum toxin (BoNT) and other oral medications for dystonia treatment. In addition, several long-term studies have demonstrated the continuous efficacy of DBS on motor and quality of life (QoL) scores. However, there are only a few reports comparing the overall impact of surgical treatment in BoNT protocols (e.g., dosage and number of selected muscles before and after surgery). This retrospective multicenter chart-review study analyzed botulinum toxin total dosage and dosage per muscle in 23 dystonic patients before and after DBS surgery. The study's primary outcome was to analyze whether there was a reduction in BoNT dosage after DBS surgery. The mean BoNT dosages difference between baseline and post-surgery was 293.4 units for 6 months, 292.6 units for 12 months, and 295.2 units at the last visit. The median total dose of BoNT in the preoperative period was 800 units (N = 23). At the last visit, the median was 700 units ( p = 0.05). This represents a 12.5% reduction in BoNT median dosage. In conclusion, despite the limitations of this retrospective study, there was a significant reduction in BoNT doses after DBS surgery in patients with generalized dystonia.

Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest All authors report no competing interests.

Objective: Low-frequency 4-12 Hz pallidal oscillations are being considered as potential physiomarkers for dystonia. We suggest investigating the multifractal properties of pallidal activity as an additional marker., Methods: We employed local field potentials (LFP) recordings from 23 patients with dystonia who were undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery to explore the connection between disease severity and the multifractal characteristics of pallidal activity. Furthermore, we performed an analysis of LFP recordings from four patients, following the externalization of DBS lead electrodes, to investigate the impact of DBS and neck muscle vibration on multifractal parameters., Results: Greater dystonia severity exhibited a correlation with a narrower multifractal spectrum width but higher multifractal spectral asymmetry. Both GPi DBS and muscle vibration in dystonia patients expanded the multifractal spectrum width while restoring multifractal spectral symmetry. Notably, the threshold peak intensities for an increase in multifractal spectrum width substantially overlapped with the optimal volume of tissue activated. A broader multifractal spectrum during DBS corresponded to more favorable clinical outcomes., Conclusions: Multifractal properties of pallidal neuronal activity serve as indicators of neural dysfunction in dystonia., Significance: These findings suggest the potential of utilizing multifractal characteristics as predictive factors for the DBS outcome in dystonia., (Copyright © 2024 lInternational Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Dystonia is among the most common pediatric movement disorders and can manifest with a range of debilitating symptoms, including sleep disruptions. The duration and quality of sleep are strongly associated with quality of life in these individuals and could serve as biomarkers of dystonia severity and the efficacy of interventions such as deep brain stimulation (DBS). Thus, this study investigated sleep duration and its relationship to disease severity and DBS response in pediatric dystonia., Methods: Actigraphs (wearable three-axis accelerometers) were used to record multiday sleep data in 22 children with dystonia, including 6 patients before and after DBS implantation, and age- and sex- matched healthy controls. Data were preprocessed, and metrics of sleep duration and quality were extracted. Repeated-measures statistical analyses were used., Results: Children with dystonia slept less than typically developing children (p = 0.009), and shorter sleep duration showed trending correlation with worse dystonia severity (r = -0.421, p = 0.073). Of 4 patients who underwent DBS and had good-quality data, 1 demonstrated significantly improved sleep (p < 0.001) postoperatively. Reduction in dystonia severity strongly correlated with increased sleep duration after DBS implantation (r = -0.965, p = 0.035)., Conclusions: Sleep disturbances are an underrecognized marker of pediatric dystonia severity, as well as the effectiveness of interventions such as DBS. They can serve as objective biomarkers of disease burden and symptom progression after treatment.

Background: Head tremor is common in dystonia syndromes and difficult to treat. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a therapeutic option in medically-refractory cases. In most DBS-centers, the globus pallidus internus (GPi) is targeted in patients with predominant dystonia and the ventrointermediate nucleus of the thalamus (Vim) in predominant tremor. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of GPi- versus Vim-DBS in dystonic or essential head tremor., Methods: All patients with dystonia or essential tremor (ET) (n = 381) who underwent DBS surgery at our institution between 1999 and 2020 were screened for head tremor in our database according to predefined selection criteria. Of the 33 patients meeting inclusion criteria tremor and dystonia severity were assessed at baseline, short- (mean 10 months) and long-term follow-up (41 months) by two blinded video-raters., Results: Twenty-two patients with dystonic head tremor received either GPi- (n = 12) or Vim-stimulation (n = 10), according to the prevailing clinical phenotype. These two groups were compared with 11 patients with ET, treated with Vim-stimulation. The reduction in head tremor from baseline to short- and long-term follow-up was 60-70% and did not differ significantly between the three groups., Conclusions: GPi-DBS effectively and sustainably reduced head tremor in idiopathic dystonia. The effect was comparable to the effect of Vim-DBS on head tremor in dystonia patients with predominant limb tremor and to the effect of Vim-DBS on head tremor in ET., (© 2024 The Authors. Movement Disorders Clinical Practice published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.)

While biallelic POLR3A loss-of-function variants are traditionally linked to hypomyelinating leukodystrophy, patients with a specific splice variant c.1909+22G>A manifest as adolescent-onset spastic ataxia without overt leukodystrophy. In this study, we reported eight new cases, POLR3A-related disorder with c.1909+22 variant. One of these patients showed expanded phenotypic spectrum of generalised dystonia and her sister remained asymptomatic except for hypodontia. Two patients with dystonic arm tremor responded to deep brain stimulation. In our systemic literature review, we found that POLR3A-related disorder with c.1909+22 variant has attenuated disease severity but frequency of dystonia and upper limb tremor did not differ among genotypes., (© 2024 The Authors. Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Neurological Association.)

Background: Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) is a type of inherited metabolic disorder caused by mutation in the PANK2 gene. The metabolic disorder mainly affects the basal ganglia region and eventually manifests as dystonia. For patients of dystonia, their dystonic symptom may progress to life-threatening emergency--status dystonicus., Objective: We described a case of a child with PKAN who had developed status dystonicus and was successfully treated with deep brain stimulation (DBS). Based on this rare condition, we analysed the clinical features of PKAN with status dystonicus and reviewed the reasonable management process of this condition., Conclusion: This case confirmed the rationality of choosing DBS for the treatment of status dystonicus. Meanwhile, we found that children with classic PKAN have a cluster of risk factors for developing status dystonicus. Once children diagnosed with similar neurodegenerative diseases are under status dystonicus, DBS can be active considered because it has showed high control rate of this emergent condition., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Patients with coexisting spastic cerebral palsy (CP) and dystonia have limited treatment options. In this study, the authors aimed to evaluate the efficacy of deep brain stimulation (DBS) targeting the superior cerebellar peduncles (SCPs) in adults with CP., Methods: Five patients with CP and medically refractory dystonia and spasticity underwent SCP DBS. Assessments included the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS), modified Ashworth scale (mAS), and tests of cognition, mental status, and quality of life preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively (in both DBS ON and OFF states, double blinded). Active contacts and fiber bundles were examined., Results: Four patients completed follow-up. The BFMDRS motor score decreased from 74 to 52 at 12 months postoperatively (30%, p = 0.008). The mean mAS score indicated significant spasticity reduction (from 2.9 ± 0.9 to 1.9 ± 0.6 after 12 months, p = 0.0454). Quality of life improved (p < 0.01), while cognition remained unaffected. Active contacts were found within the dentato-rubro-thalamic tract, with variable efficiency in decussating and nondecussating portions., Conclusions: In this pilot trial, SCP DBS showed promise as a well-tolerated treatment for CP, improving dystonic symptoms, spasticity, quality of life, and functional capacities. However, caution is needed when interpreting the results given the small sample size and heterogeneous motor outcomes.

Background: Dystonia is a movement disorder characterized by sustained or intermittent muscle contractions that lead to involuntary postures or repetitive movements. Genetic mutations are being increasingly recognized as a cause of dystonia. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is one of the limited treatment options available. However, there are varying reports on its efficacy in genetic dystonias. This systematic review of the characteristics of genetic dystonias treated with DBS and their outcomes aims to aid in the evaluation of eligibility for such treatment., Methods: We performed a PUBMED search of all papers related to genetic dystonias and DBS up until April 2022. In addition to performing a systematic review, we also performed a meta-analysis to assess the role of the mutation on DBS response. We included cases that had a confirmed genetic mutation and DBS along with pre-and post-operative BFMDRS., Results: Ninety-one reports met our inclusion criteria and from them, 235 cases were analyzed. Based on our analysis DYT-TOR1A dystonia had the best evidence for DBS response and Rapid-Onset Dystonia Parkinsonism was among the least responsive to DBS., Conclusion: While our report supports the role of genetics in DBS selection and response, it is limited by the rarity of the individual genetic conditions, the reliance on case reports and case series, and the limited ability to obtain genetic testing on a large scale in real-time as opposed to retrospectively as in many cases., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest relevant to this work., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: Novel deep brain stimulation devices can record local field potentials (LFPs), which represent the synchronous synaptic activity of neuronal populations. The clinical relevance of LFPs in patients with dystonia remains unclear., Objectives: We sought to determine whether chronic LFPs recorded from the globus pallidus internus (GPi) were associated with symptoms of dystonia in children., Materials and Methods: Ten patients with heterogeneous forms of dystonia (genetic and acquired) were implanted with neurostimulators that recorded LFP spectral snapshots. Spectra were compared across parent-reported asymptomatic and symptomatic periods, with daily narrowband data superimposed in 24 one-hour bins., Results: Spectral power increased during periods of registered dystonic symptoms: mean increase = 102%, CI: (76.7, 132). Circadian rhythms within the LFP narrowband time series correlated with dystonic symptoms: for delta/theta-waves, correlation = 0.33, CI: (0.18, 0.47) and for alpha waves, correlation = 0.27, CI: (0.14, 0.40)., Conclusions: LFP spectra recorded in the GPi indicate a circadian pattern and are associated with the manifestation of dystonic symptoms., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest Carolina Gorodetsky reports a relationship with Medtronic, Inc that includes consulting or advisory and speaking and lecture fees. George M. Ibrahim reports a relationship with LivaNova that includes board membership and consulting or advisory. Alfonso Fasano reports a relationship with Medtronic, Inc, Abbott, and Boston Scientific that includes consulting or advisory and speaking and lecture fees. Lior M. Elkaim is an employee of Neuralink. The remaining authors report no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 International Neuromodulation Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Guanine nucleotide-binding protein alpha-activating activity polypeptide O (GNAO1) syndrome, a rare congenital monogenetic disorder, is characterized by a neurodevelopmental syndrome and the presence of dystonia. Dystonia can be very pronounced and even lead to a life-threatening status dystonicus. In a small number of pharmaco-refractory cases, deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been attempted to reduce dystonia. In this study, we summarize the current literature on outcome, safety, and outcome predictors of DBS for GNAO1-associated dystonia., Materials and Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on individual patient data. We included 18 studies describing 28 unique patients., Results: The mean age of onset of symptoms was 2.4 years (SD 3.8); 16 of 28 patients were male, and dystonia was nearly always generalized (20/22 patients). Symptoms were present before DBS for a median duration of 19.5 months, although highly variable, occurring between 3 and 168 months. The exact phenotype, genotype, and radiologic abnormalities varied and seemed to be of little importance in terms of DBS outcome. All studies described an improvement in dystonia. Our meta-analysis focused on pallidal DBS and found an absolute and relative improvement in Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS) of 32.5 points (37.9%; motor part; p = 0.001) and 5.8 points (21.5%; disability part; p = 0.043) at last follow-up compared with preoperative state; 80% of patients were considered responders (BFMDRS-M reduction by ≥25%). Although worsening over time does occur, an improvement was still observed in patients after >10 years. All reported cases of status dystonicus resolved after DBS surgery. Skin erosion and infection were observed in 18% of patients., Conclusion: Pallidal DBS can be efficacious and safe in GNAO1-associated dystonia., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest The authors reported no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 International Neuromodulation Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery is an established and effective treatment for several movement disorders (tremor, Parkinson's disease, and dystonia), and is under investigation in numerous other neurological and psychiatric disorders. However, the origins and development of this neurofunctional technique are not always well understood and recognized. In this mini-review, we review the history of DBS, highlighting important milestones and the most remarkable protagonists (neurosurgeons, neurologists, and neurophysiologists) who pioneered and fostered this therapy throughout the 20th and early 21st century. Alongside DBS historical markers, we also briefly discuss newer developments in the field, and the future challenges which accompany such progress., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Elena Moro reports a relationship with Medtronic Inc that includes: consulting or advisory. Elena Moro reports a relationship with Ipsen that includes: funding grants. Elena Moro reports a relationship with AbelsonTaylor Inc that includes: funding grants. Elena Moro reports a relationship with French Association for Parkinson's Disease that includes: funding grants. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

A neurological condition called dystonia results in abnormal, uncontrollable postures or movements because of sporadic or continuous muscular spasms. Several varieties of dystonia can impact people of all ages, leading to severe impairment and a decreased standard of living. The discovery of genes causing variations of single or mixed dystonia has improved our understanding of the disease's etiology. Genetic dystonias are linked to several genes, including pathogenic variations of VPS16, TOR1A, THAP1, GNAL, and ANO3. Diagnosis of dystonia is primarily based on clinical symptoms, which can be challenging due to overlapping symptoms with other neurological conditions, such as Parkinson's disease. This review aims to summarize recent advances in the genetic origins and management of focal dystonia.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the internal globus pallidus (GPi) is a recognized treatment for medication-refractory dystonia. Problems in executive functions and social cognition can be part of dystonia phenotypes. The impact of pallidal DBS on cognition appears limited, but not all cognitive domains have been investigated yet. In the present study, we compare cognition before and after GPi DBS. Seventeen patients with dystonia of various aetiology completed pre- and post-DBS assessment (mean age 51 years; range 20-70 years). Neuropsychological assessment covered intelligence, verbal memory, attention and processing speed, executive functioning, social cognition, language and a depression questionnaire. Pre-DBS scores were compared with a healthy control group matched for age, gender and education, or with normative data. Patients were of average intelligence but performed significantly poorer than healthy peers on tests for planning and for information processing speed. Otherwise, they were cognitively unimpaired, including social cognition. DBS did not change the baseline neuropsychological scores. We confirmed previous reports of executive dysfunctions in adult dystonia patients with no significant influence of DBS on cognitive functioning in these patients. Pre-DBS neuropsychological assessments appear useful as they support clinicians in counselling their patients. Decisions about post-DBS neuropsychological evaluations should be made on a case-by-case basis., (© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Neuropsychology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The British Psychological Society.)

Purpose: Pediatric dystonia (PD) has a significant negative impact on the growth and development of the child. This study was done retrospectively to analyze functional outcomes in pediatric patients with dystonia who underwent deep brain stimulation., Methods: In this retrospective analytical study, all the patients of age less than 18 years undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS) for dystonia between 2012 and 2020 in a single center were analyzed and their functional outcomes were measured by the Burke-Fahn-Marsden-dystonia-rating-scale (BFMDRS)., Results: A total of 10 pediatric patients were included with a mean age of onset, duration of disease, and age at surgery being 5.75 years, 7.36 years, and 13.11 years, respectively, with a mean follow-up of 23.22 months. The mean pre-DBS motor score was 75.44 ± 23.53 which improved significantly at 6-month and 12-month follow-up to 57.27 (p value 0.004) and 50.38 (p value < 0.001), respectively. Limbs sub-scores improved significantly at both the scheduled intervals. There was a significant improvement in disability at 1-year follow-up with significant improvement in feeding, dressing, and walking components. There was a 27.34% and 36.64% improvement in dystonia with a 17.37% and 28.86% reduction in disability at 6 months and 12 months, respectively. There was a positive correlation between the absolute reduction of the motor score and improvement in disability of the patients at 6 months (rho = 0.865, p value 0.003)., Conclusions: DBS in PD has an enormous role in reducing disease burden and achieving a sustainable therapeutic goal., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

One of the most relevant challenges for healthcare providers during the COVID- 19 pandemic has been assuring the continuity of care to patients with complex health needs such as people living with rare diseases (RDs). The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the healthcare sector's digital transformation agenda. The delivery of telemedicine services instead of many face-to-face procedures has been expanded and, many healthcare services not directly related to COVID-19 treatments shifted online remotely. Many hospitals, specialist centres, patients and families started to use telemedicine because they were forced to. This trend could directly represent a good practice on how care services could be organized and continuity of care could be ensured for patients. If done properly, it could boast improved patient outcomes and become a post COVID-19 major shift in the care paradigm. There is a fragmented stakeholders spectrum, as many questions arise on: how is e-health interacting with 'traditional' healthcare providers; about the role of the European Reference Networks (ERNs); if remote care can retain a human touch and stay patient centric. The manuscript is one of the results of the European Brain Council (EBC) Value of Treatment research project on rare brain disorders focusing on progressive ataxias, dystonia and phenylketonuria with the support of Academic Partners and in collaboration with European Reference Networks (ERNs) experts, applying empirical evidence from different European countries. The main purpose of this work is to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the continuity of care for ataxias, dystonia and phenylketonuria (PKU) in Europe. The analysis carried out makes it possible to highlight the critical points encountered and to learn from the best experiences. Here, we propose a scoping review that investigates this topic, focusing on continuity of care and novel methods (e.g., digital approaches) used to reduce the care disruption. This scoping review was designed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) standards. This work showed that the implementation of telemedicine services was the main measure that healthcare providers (HCPs) put in place and adopted for mitigating the effects of disruption or discontinuity of the healthcare services of people with rare neurological diseases and with neurometabolic disorders in Europe., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Dystonia is a condition that affects the ability to control the movement and function of the body's muscles. It can cause not only physical problems, but also mental problems, resulting in impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, the effect of deep brain stimulation on quality of life in acquired dystonia remains unclear., Methods: We conducted a systematic literature review from January 2000 to October 2022，determined the eligible studies, and performed a meta-analysis of HRQoL outcomes based on the Short-Form Health Survey-36 (SF-36) after DBS to evaluate the effects of DBS on physical and mental QoL., Results: A total of 14 studies met the inclusion criteria and were systematically reviewed. A comprehensive meta-analysis was performed for 9 studies that reported physical and psychological data or physical component summary (PCS), or mental component summary (MCS) for SF-36. The mean (SD) age at DBS implantation was 34.29 (10.3) years, and the follow-up period after implantation was 2.21 (2.80) years. The random effects model meta-analysis revealed that both physical and mental domains of the SF-36 improved following DBS. There was no statistically significant difference between the physical domains (effect size=1.34; p<0.0001) and the mental domains (effect size=1.38; p<0.0001)., Conclusion: This is the first meta-analysis that demonstrates significant benefits in HRQoL following DBS in patients with acquired dystonia. There were significant improvements in both physical QoL and mental QoL., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background and Purpose: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has emerged as a promising treatment for movement disorders. This prospective study aims to evaluate the effects of bilateral subthalamic nucleus DBS (STN-DBS) on motor and non-motor symptoms in patients with primary Meige syndrome., Methods: Thirty patients who underwent bilateral STN-DBS between April 2017 and June 2020 were included. Standardized and validated scales were utilized to assess the severity of dystonia, health-related quality of life, sleep, cognitive function and mental status at baseline and at 1 year and 3 years after neurostimulation., Results: The Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale movement scores showed a mean improvement of 63.0% and 66.8% at 1 year and 3 years, respectively, after neurostimulation. Similarly, the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale disability scores improved by 60.8% and 63.3% at the same time points. Postoperative quality of life demonstrated a significant and sustained improvement throughout the follow-up period. However, cognitive function, mental status, sleep quality and other neuropsychological functions did not change after 3 years of neurostimulation. Eight adverse events occurred in six patients, but no deaths or permanent sequelae were reported., Conclusions: Bilateral STN-DBS is a safe and effective alternative treatment for primary Meige syndrome, leading to improvements in motor function and quality of life. Nevertheless, it did not yield significant amelioration in cognitive, mental, sleep status and other neuropsychological functions after 3 years of neurostimulation., (© 2023 The Authors. European Journal of Neurology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Academy of Neurology.)

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the globus pallidus internus (entopeduncular nucleus, EPN, in rodents) is important for the treatment of drug-refractory dystonia. The pathophysiology of this movement disorder and the mechanisms of DBS are largely unknown. Insights into the mechanisms of DBS in animal models of dystonia can be helpful for optimization of DBS and add-on therapeutics. We recently found that short-term EPN-DBS with 130 Hz (50 µA, 60 µs) for 3 h improved dystonia in dt sz hamsters and reduced spontaneous excitatory cortico-striatal activity in brain slices of this model, indicating fast effects on synaptic plasticity. Therefore, in the present study, we examined if these effects are related to changes of c-Fos, a marker of neuronal activity, in brains derived from dt sz hamsters after these short-term DBS or sham stimulations. After DBS vs. sham, c-Fos intensity was increased around the electrode, but the number of c-Fos + cells was not altered within the whole EPN and projection areas (habenula, thalamus). DBS did not induce changes in striatal and cortical c-Fos + cells as GABAergic (GAD67 + and parvalbumin-reactive) neurons in motor cortex and striatum. Unexpectedly, c-Fos + cells were decreased in deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN) after DBS, suggesting that cerebellar changes may be involved in antidystonic effects already during short-term DBS. However, the present results do not exclude functional changes within the basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical network, which will be further investigated by long-term EPN stimulations. The present study indicates that the cerebellum deserves attention in ongoing examinations on the mechanisms of DBS in dystonia., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a routine neurosurgical procedure utilized to treat various movement disorders including Parkinson's disease (PD), essential tremor (ET), and dystonia. Treatment efficacy is dependent on stereotactic accuracy of lead placement into the deep brain target of interest. However, brain shift attributed to pneumocephalus can introduce unpredictable inaccuracies during DBS lead placement. This study aimed to determine whether intracranial air is associated with brain shift in patients undergoing staged DBS surgery., Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 46 patients who underwent staged DBS surgery for PD, ET, and dystonia. Due to the staged nature of DBS surgery at our institution, the first electrode placement is used as a concrete fiducial marker for movement in the target location. Postoperative computed tomography (CT) images after the first electrode implantation, as well as preoperative, and postoperative CT images after the second electrode implantation were collected. Images were analyzed in stereotactic targeting software (BrainLab); intracranial air was manually segmented, and electrode shift was measured in the x, y, and z plane, as well as a Euclidian distance on each set of merged CT scans. A Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between intracranial air and brain shift, and student's t test was used to compare means between patients with and without radiographic evidence of intracranial air., Results: Thirty-six patients had pneumocephalus after the first electrode implantation, while 35 had pneumocephalus after the second electrode implantation. Accumulation of intracranial air following the first electrode implantation (4.49 ± 6.05 cm3) was significantly correlated with brain shift along the y axis (0.04 ± 0.35 mm; r (34) = 0.36; p = 0.03), as well as the Euclidean distance of deviation (0.57 ± 0.33 mm; r (34) = 0.33; p = 0.05) indicating statistically significant shift on the ipsilateral side. However, there was no significant correlation between intracranial air and brain shift following the second electrode implantation, suggesting contralateral shift is minimal. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in brain shift between patients with and without radiographic evidence of intracranial air following both electrode implantation surgeries., Conclusion: Despite observing volumes as high as 22.0 cm3 in patients with radiographic evidence of pneumocephalus, there was no significant difference in brain shift when compared to patients without pneumocephalus. Furthermore, the mean magnitude of brain shift was &lt;1.0 mm regardless of whether pneumocephalus was presenting, suggesting that intracranial air accumulation may not produce clinical significant brain shift in our patients., (© 2024 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Introduction: L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria (L2HGA) is a rare neurometabolic disorder marked by progressive and debilitating psychomotor deficits. Here, we report the first patient with L2HGA-related refractory dystonia that was managed with deep brain stimulation to the bilateral globus pallidus internus (GPi-DBS)., Case Presentation: We present a 17-year-old female with progressive decline in cognitive function, motor skills, and language ability which significantly impaired activities of daily living. Neurological exam revealed generalized dystonia, significant choreic movements in the upper extremities, slurred speech, bilateral dysmetria, and a wide-based gait. Brisk deep tendon reflexes, clonus, and bilateral Babinski signs were present. Urine 2-OH-glutaric acid level was significantly elevated. Brain MRI showed extensive supratentorial subcortical white matter signal abnormalities predominantly involving the U fibers and bilateral basal ganglia. Genetic testing identified a homozygous pathogenic mutation in the L-2-hydroxyglutarate dehydrogenase gene c. 164G&gt;A (p. Gly55Asp). Following minimal response to pharmacotherapy, GPi-DBS was performed. Significant increases in mobility and decrease in dystonia were observed at 3 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months postoperatively., Conclusion: This is the first utilization of DBS as treatment for L2HGA-related dystonia. The resulting significant improvements indicate that pallidal neuromodulation may be a viable option for pharmaco-resistant cases, and possibly in other secondary metabolic dystonias., (© 2024 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.)

DBS has been shown to be an effective intervention for neurological disorders. However, the intervention is complex and many aspects have not been understood. Various clinical situations have no solution and follow trial and error approaches. Dystonia is a movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions, which gives rise to abnormal movements and postures. Status dystonicus (SD) represents a life-threatening condition that requires urgent assessment and management. Electrophysiological markers for risk of symptom worsening and SD related patterns of evolution in patients treated with long-term deep brain stimulation (DBS), and specially under the effect of withdrawal and renewals of simulation are needed. To this end, we study the variability of neural synchronization as a mechanism for symptom generation under successive perturbations to a system, i.e. withdrawals and renewals of neuromodulation, through computational simulation of clinical profiles under different plasticity conditions. The simulation shows that the neuroplasticity makeup influences the variability of oscillation synchronization patterns in virtual "patients". The difference between the effect of different electrophysiological signatures is remarkable and under a certain condition (equal medium long term potentiation and long term depression) the situation resembles that of a stable equilibrium, putatively making the sudden worsening or change less likely. Stability of variability can only be observed in this condition and is clearly distinct from other scenarios. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that the neuroplasticity makeup affects the variability of the oscillatory synchrony. This i) informs the shaping of the electrophysiological makeup and ii) might serve as a marker for clinical behavior., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of European Paediatric Neurology Society.)

Background: Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) is a rare, neurodegenerative disorder that manifests with progressive loss of ambulation and refractory dystonia, especially in the early-onset classic form. This leads to osteopenia and stress on long bones, which pose an increased risk of atraumatic femur fractures. The purpose of this study is to describe the unique challenges in managing femur fractures in PKAN and the effect of disease manifestations on surgical outcomes., Methods: A retrospective case review was conducted on 5 patients (ages 10 to 20 y) with PKAN with a femur fracture requiring surgical intervention. Data regarding initial presentation, surgical treatment, complications, and outcomes were obtained., Results: All patients were non-ambulatory, with 4 of 5 patients sustaining an atraumatic femur fracture in the setting of dystonia episode. One patient had an additional contralateral acetabular fracture. Postoperatively, 4 of the 5 patients sustained orthopaedic complications requiring surgical revision, with 3 of these secondary to dystonia. Overall, 4 required prolonged hospitalization in the setting of refractory dystonia., Conclusion: Femur fractures in PKAN present distinct challenges for successful outcomes. A rigid intramedullary rod with proximal and distal interlocking screws is most protective against surgical complications associated with refractory dystonia occurring during the postoperative period. Multidisciplinary planning for postoperative care is essential and may include aggressive sedation and pain management to decrease the risk of subsequent injuries or complications., Level of Evidence: Level IV., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Few studies have focused on subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation for refractory isolated dystonia, and the long-term outcomes are unclear. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of subthalamic stimulation for generalized isolated dystonia for more than five years and explored the factors predicting clinical outcomes., Materials and Methods: A total of 16 patients with generalized isolated dystonia underwent a two-phase procedure for stimulation system implantation. After implanting the leads, we performed a test stimulation and observed the stimulation response. The severity of dystonia was assessed using a blinded rating of the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale based on videos recorded at scheduled times., Results: The mean follow-up time was 7.4 ± 2.2 years (5-12.5 years). The severity of dystonia improved significantly one year after surgery. The movement score decreased from 49.3 (40.9) points at baseline to 26.5 (43.5) points (-44.6%) at six months, 12.0 (22.5) points (-66.8%) at one year, 11.25 (17.6) points (-72.7%) at three years, and 12.5 (21.0) points (-72.6%) at the last follow-up. The improvement in motor symptoms resulted in a corresponding improvement in activities of daily living. Greater long-term outcomes were correlated with early stimulation responses, lower baseline movement scores, and female sex. When analyzed comprehensively, only the baseline movement score had meaningful predictive value for the outcome., Conclusions: Our results indicate that subthalamic stimulation is effective and durable in treating generalized isolated dystonia. The subthalamic nucleus may be an alternative target for the treatment of refractory dystonia. Patients with less severe motor symptoms may benefit more from this treatment., (Copyright © 2022 International Neuromodulation Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Childhood dystonia is often nonresponsive to medications, and refractory cases are increasingly being treated with deep brain stimulation (DBS). However, many have noted that there is little consensus about when DBS should be offered, and there has been little examination of clinicians' decision-making process when determining whether to offer DBS for childhood dystonia., Objectives: This study aimed to identify and examine the factors considered by pediatric movement disorder specialists before offering DBS., Materials and Methods: Semistructured interviews (N = 29) with pediatric dystonia clinicians were conducted, transcribed, and coded. Using thematic content analysis, nine central themes were identified when clinicians were asked about key factors, clinical factors, and psychosocial factors considered before offering pediatric DBS., Results: Clinicians identified nine main factors. Five of these were classified primarily as clinical factors: early intervention and younger age (raised by 86% of respondents), disease progression and symptom severity (83%), etiology and genetic status (79%), clinicians' perceived risks and benefits of DBS for the patient (79%), and exhaustion of other treatment options (55%). The remaining four were classified primarily as psychosocial factors: social and family support (raised by 97% of respondents), patient and caregiver expectations about outcomes and understanding of DBS treatment (90%), impact of dystonia on quality of life (69%), and financial resources and access to care (31%)., Conclusions: Candidacy determinations, in this context, are complicated by an interrelation of clinical and psychosocial factors that contribute to the decision. There is potential for bias when considering family support and quality of life. Uncertainty of outcomes related to the etiology of dystonia makes candidacy judgments challenging. More systematic examination of the characteristics and criteria used to identify pediatric patients with dystonia who can significantly benefit from DBS is necessary to develop clear guidelines and promote the well-being of these children., (Copyright © 2021 International Neuromodulation Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To evaluate the correlation between the pallidal local field potentials (LFPs) activity and the cortical oscillations (at rest and during several motor tasks) in two freely moving patients with generalized dystonia and pallidal deep brain stimulation (DBS)., Materials and Methods: Two women with isolated generalized dystonia were selected for bilateral globus pallidus internus (GPi) DBS. After the electrodes' implantation, cortical activity was recorded by a portable electroencephalography (EEG) system simultaneously with GPi LFPs activity, during several motor tasks, gait, and rest condition. Recordings were not performed during stimulation. EEG and LFPs signals relative to each specific movement were coupled together and grouped in neck/upper limbs movements and gait. Power spectral density (PSD), EEG-LFP coherence (through envelope of imaginary coherence operator), and 1/f exponent of LFP-PSD background were calculated., Results: In both patients, the pallidal LFPs PSD at rest was characterized by prominent 4-12 Hz activity. Voluntary movements increased activity in the theta (θ) band (4-7 Hz) compared to rest, in both LFPs and EEG signals. Gait induced a drastic raise of θ activity in both patients' pallidal activity, less marked for the EEG signal. A coherence peak within the 8-13 Hz range was found between pallidal LFPs and EEG recorded at rest., Conclusions: Neck/upper limbs voluntary movements and gait suppressed the GPi-LFPs-cortical-EEG coherence and differently impacted both EEG and LFPs low frequency activity. These findings suggest a selective modulation of the cortico-basal ganglia network activity in dystonia., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a well-established procedure that provides long-term symptom control of the third most common movement disorder: dystonia. In this study, we aim to report the experience of Ibn Rochd University Hospital in the treatment of dystonia using DBS of the globus pallidus internus, which represents an exceptional challenge for a developing country such as Morocco., Methods: Since 2013, we selected five eligible candidates for DBS surgery at the university hospital Ibn Rochd. A genetic assessment had been performed in four cases. Their motor and mental states were prospectively monitored using several validated scales, including Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale, Mini Mental State Examination, 36-Item Short Form Survey, and Zarit scale., Results: Our sample had two clinical phenotypes of dystonia: isolated dystonia (in two patients) and combined dystonia (in three patients). Patients were aged 14 to 32 years, and their mean onset age ranged from 7 to 13 years with a mean progression duration of 9 years. Our results indicate successful treatment of patients with dystonia using DBS. Scores from the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale confirm improvements ranging from 40% to 95%. However, some potentially surgery-related complications could occur such as lead infection, which, in our experience, was reported in one case., Conclusion: The experience of the university hospital Ibn Rochd regarding the use of DBS in treating dystonia was largely positive. However, the procedure faces challenges due to its complexity, specifically concerning its multidisciplinary nature, its genetic test costs, and the reluctance of pediatricians to get involved., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest All authors have read and approved the content of the article. The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Deep brain stimulation (DBS), a treatment for modulating the abnormal central neuronal circuitry, has become the standard of care nowadays and is sometimes the only option to reduce symptoms of movement disorders such as dystonia. However, on the one hand, there are still open questions regarding the pathomechanisms of dystonia and, on the other hand, the mechanisms of DBS on neuronal circuitry. That lack of knowledge limits the therapeutic effect and makes it hard to predict the outcome of DBS for individual dystonia patients. Finding electrophysiological biomarkers seems to be a promising option to enable adapted individualised DBS treatment. However, biomarker search studies cannot be conducted on patients on a large scale and experimental approaches with animal models of dystonia are needed. In this review, physiological findings of deep brain stimulation studies in humans and animal models of dystonia are summarised and the current pathophysiological concepts of dystonia are discussed., (© 2023. The Author(s).)