Pharmacological treatment of deep brain stimulation-induced hypomania leads to clinical remission while preserving motor benefits

Neurocase. 2012;18(2):152-9. doi: 10.1080/13554794.2011.568502. Epub 2011 Sep 15.

Abstract

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is an effective treatment for Parkinson's disease, but can lead to adverse effects including psychiatric disturbance. Little is known about the risk factors and treatment options for such effects. Here, we describe a patient who reproducibly developed stimulation-induced hypomania when using ventrally located electrodes and responded well to pharmacological intervention while leaving the stimulation parameters unchanged to preserve motor benefits. In spite of clinical remission, [¹⁵O]-positron-emission-tomography (PET) demonstrated activation patterns similar to those reported during mania. This case, therefore, highlights an important treatment option of adverse effects of DBS, but also points toward the need for investigations of its risk factors and their underlying neurobiological mechanisms.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antimanic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bipolar Disorder / drug therapy*
  • Bipolar Disorder / etiology*
  • Clozapine / therapeutic use*
  • Deep Brain Stimulation / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease / therapy
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Valproic Acid / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antimanic Agents
  • Valproic Acid
  • Clozapine