Background Globus pallidus internus deep brain stimulation (GPi-DBS) is an established treatment for dystonia, but its specific efficacy for tardive dystonia (TD) remains less documented.
Objectives To evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes of GPi-DBS and identify optimal stimulation sites in patients with medically refractory TD.
Methods We retrospectively analyzed 26 patients with TD who underwent bilateral GPi-DBS. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS). Optimal stimulation sites were identified using voxel-wise Sweetspot analysis.
Results At an average follow-up of 42 months (range 12–84 months), the mean improvement in the BFMDRS score was 76.7%. Optimal stimulation sites were located in the posteroventral region of the GPi. Two patients experienced sustained symptom remission after DBS cessation. Complications included device-related infection (n=2), dysarthria (n=4), and gait imbalance (n=1); no severe permanent complications occurred.
Conclusion GPi-DBS is effective and safe for medically refractory tardive dystonia, providing significant long-term symptom relief. Optimal stimulation sites were located in the posteroventral GPi, consistent with those reported for other dystonia types.
Objective The efficacy and safety of zolpidem for treating musician’s dystonia are not well understood. We aimed to retrospectively investigate the efficacy and safety of zolpidem for treating musician’s dystonia.
Methods We retrospectively reviewed medical records between January 2021 and December 2023 to identify patients with musician’s dystonia who had been prescribed zolpidem. Tubiana’s Musician’s Dystonia Rating Scale (range, 1–5; lower scores indicating greater severity) was used to evaluate musician’s dystonia.
Results Fifteen patients were included in this study. The mean effective dose of zolpidem was 5.3 ± 2.0 mg. The mean effective duration of zolpidem was 4.3 ± 1.2 h. With zolpidem administration, Tubiana’s musician’s dystonia rating scale score significantly improved from 2.2 ± 1.0 to 4.3 ± 0.8 (48.9% improvement, p < 0.001). Two patients (13.3%) discontinued the drug owing to unsatisfactory results or sleepiness.
Conclusion The results of this study suggest that zolpidem may be an alternative treatment option for musician’s dystonia.
Citations
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