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Suicidal thoughts in patients with Parkinson’s disease treated by deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nuclei: two case reports and review of the literature

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2014

Yacov Balash ,
Doron Merims  and
Nir Giladi
Yacov Balash*
Affiliation:
Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
Doron Merims
Affiliation:
Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
Nir Giladi
Affiliation:
Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
*
Dr Yacov Balash, Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv 64239, Israel. Tel: 972 3 6974914; Fax: 972 3 6974911; E-mail: yacbal@tasmc.health.gov.il
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Abstract

Background:

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nuclei (STN) can result in depression despite the obvious motor improvement.

Case presentations:

Two patients with serious life-threatening depressive episodes are described. In the first case, the trigger for depression was a slight adjustment of the left stimulating electrode’s contact. In the second case, reducing both the dopaminergic therapy and the voltage of DBS resulted in the manifestation of depressive symptoms.

Conclusions:

DBS-induced depression possibly has pathogenetic differences from ordinary Parkinson’s disease depression. The STN region seems to be a sensitive zone that influences emotions.

Keywords

Parkinson’s diseasedeep brain stimulationsubthalamic nucleidepressionsuicidal thoughts
Type
Case report
Information
Acta Neuropsychiatrica , Volume 19 , Issue 3 , June 2007 , pp. 208 - 210
Copyright
Copyright © 2007 Blackwell Munksgaard

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