Faculty mentor/PI email address
pittonrissardo-jamir@cooperhealth.edu
Keywords
Subthalamic nucleus, depression, behavioral, safety, Parkinson's disease, parkinsonism
Date of Presentation
5-6-2026 12:00 AM
Poster Abstract
Background: Depression is a prevalent non‑motor symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and may adversely affect quality-of-life and overall treatment outcomes. Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN‑DBS) is an established therapy for motor symptoms, yet its impact on depressive symptoms remains controversial. This meta‑analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of STN‑DBS on depressive symptoms in PD. Methods: PubMed‑indexed studies meeting predefined eligibility criteria were identified and included. Random‑effects meta‑analyses were performed using REML. Mean differences (MDs) between STN‑DBS and control conditions were pooled separately for Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and its revision (BDI-II), and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD). Heterogeneity was assessed using I². Results: Eleven studies reported BDI‑I (n=348), ten BDI‑II (n=313), and eight HAMD (n=476) outcomes. STN‑DBS was associated with a significant improvement in clinician‑rated depression measured by HAMD (MD −2.91; Z = −6.47; p < 0.00001; I2=29.8%). No significant overall effect was observed for BDI‑I (MD −0.99; Z = −1.22; p = 0.22) or BDI‑II (MD −0.68; Z = −0.82; p = 0.41). In meta‑regression, follow‑up duration was associated with attenuation of treatment effect on BDI‑I, with a positive slope estimate of 0.04 BDI points per month (β = 0.042, SE = 0.022; 95% CI −0.007 to 0.092; p = 0.086), indicating a nonsignificant trend toward reduced benefit over time . Conclusion: STN‑DBS is associated with improvement in depressive symptoms in PD, with observed effects dependent on the depression scale utilized.
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Nervous System Diseases
Included in
Effects of Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation on Depressive Symptoms in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease: A Meta‑Analysis
Background: Depression is a prevalent non‑motor symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and may adversely affect quality-of-life and overall treatment outcomes. Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN‑DBS) is an established therapy for motor symptoms, yet its impact on depressive symptoms remains controversial. This meta‑analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of STN‑DBS on depressive symptoms in PD. Methods: PubMed‑indexed studies meeting predefined eligibility criteria were identified and included. Random‑effects meta‑analyses were performed using REML. Mean differences (MDs) between STN‑DBS and control conditions were pooled separately for Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and its revision (BDI-II), and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD). Heterogeneity was assessed using I². Results: Eleven studies reported BDI‑I (n=348), ten BDI‑II (n=313), and eight HAMD (n=476) outcomes. STN‑DBS was associated with a significant improvement in clinician‑rated depression measured by HAMD (MD −2.91; Z = −6.47; p < 0.00001; I2=29.8%). No significant overall effect was observed for BDI‑I (MD −0.99; Z = −1.22; p = 0.22) or BDI‑II (MD −0.68; Z = −0.82; p = 0.41). In meta‑regression, follow‑up duration was associated with attenuation of treatment effect on BDI‑I, with a positive slope estimate of 0.04 BDI points per month (β = 0.042, SE = 0.022; 95% CI −0.007 to 0.092; p = 0.086), indicating a nonsignificant trend toward reduced benefit over time . Conclusion: STN‑DBS is associated with improvement in depressive symptoms in PD, with observed effects dependent on the depression scale utilized.