Journal of Movement Disorders

Optimal Stimulation Sites and Long-Term Efficacy of Pallidal Deep-Brain Stimulation for Patients With Tardive Dystonia: Taku Nonaka, Shiro Horisawa, Kilsoo Kim, Masato Murakami, Masahiko Nishitani, Takakazu Kawamata, Takaomi Taira; J Mov Disord. 2026;19(1):49-57. Published online October 28, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.14802/jmd.25164

973 View
65 Download

Abstract PDF: Objective
Globus pallidus internus deep brain stimulation (GPi-DBS) is an established treatment for dystonia, but its specific efficacy for tardive dystonia (TD) remains insufficiently documented. To evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes of GPi-DBS and to identify optimal stimulation sites in patients with medically refractory TD.
Methods
We retrospectively analyzed data from 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 voxelwise sweet spot analysis.
Results
At an average follow-up time of 42 months (range 12–4 months), the mean BFMDRS score improvement was 81.5%. The 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 patients with medically refractory TD, providing significant long-term symptom relief. The optimal stimulation sites were located in the posteroventral GPi, which is consistent with those reported for patients with other dystonia types.

Successful Treatment of a Patient With Tremors and Extensive Brain Lesions Using Posterior Subthalamic Area–Deep Brain Stimulation: Taku Nonaka, Takashi Asahi, Shiro Horisawa, Kiyonobu Ikeda, Nobutaka Yamamoto, Takaomi Taira; J Mov Disord. 2025;18(4):372-374. Published online July 16, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.14802/jmd.25096

793 View
34 Download

PDF Supplementary Material

Efficacy and Safety of Zolpidem for Musician’s Dystonia: Shiro Horisawa, Kilsoo Kim, Masato Murakami, Masahiko Nishitani, Takakazu Kawamata, Takaomi Taira; J Mov Disord. 2024;17(4):425-429. Published online July 1, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.14802/jmd.24121

4,682 View
126 Download
2 Web of Science
3 Crossref

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material

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

Citations to this article as recorded by

Deep Phenotyping of Musicians’ Upper Limb Dystonia
Steven J. Frucht
Tremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movements.2025; 15: 31. CrossRef
The Treatment of Runner’s Dystonia With Zolpidem and a Device Inducing Hanger Reflex
Takashi Asahi, Shiro Horisawa, Takuto Nakamura, Hiroyuki Kajimoto, Ichiro Takumi
Cureus.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Sleep-Related Eating Disorder and Sexsomnia; Two Rare Parasomnias? A Mini-Review with Illustrative Case-Reports
Gábor Barcs, József Janszky, Mengesha Srahbzu, Réka Horváth, Vivian Miranda Correa, Anna Szűcs
International Journal of Sexual Health.2025; 37(4): 711. CrossRef

Thalamic Deep Brain Stimulation for SPG56-Related Focal Hand Dystonia: Momo Uchida, Shiro Horisawa, Kenkou Azuma, Hiroyuki Akagawa, Shinichi Tokushige, Takakazu Kawamata, Takaomi Taira; J Mov Disord. 2024;17(4):447-449. Published online June 27, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.14802/jmd.24022

3,007 View
71 Download
1 Web of Science
1 Crossref

PDF Supplementary Material

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Efficacy and Safety of Thalamotomy for Focal Hand Dystonia: A Systematic Review
Ruiqing Yang, Botao Xiong, Xiaoman Shi, Xinyuejia Huang, Wei Wang, Carlo Colosimo
Acta Neurologica Scandinavica.2025;[Epub] CrossRef

Search