Neurologia: eficácia das terapias de estimulação cerebral profunda no tratamento do Parkinson em pacientes com mais de 10 anos de diagnóstico

Abstract

This article addressed the efficacy of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease in patients with more than ten years of diagnosis, a chronic neurodegenerative condition that impacts the quality of life of affected individuals. The problem investigated lies in the progression of motor and non-motor symptoms in the advanced stages of the disease, when conventional therapies, such as levodopa, become less effective and are associated with complications such as dyskinesias and motor fluctuations. In response to these challenges, the study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of DBS in improving symptoms and the quality of life of these patients, as well as to compare this therapeutic modality with other available interventions, including medication therapies and more recent techniques, such as levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel infusion and high-intensity focused ultrasound. The methodology employed was a literature review, which included the analysis of clinical studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses available in the major scientific databases. The selection of articles was based on inclusion criteria that considered the relevance, currency, and methodological quality of the studies, focusing primarily on works that investigated the application of DBS in patients with more than ten years of Parkinson's Disease diagnosis. The results obtained indicated that DBS is an effective therapeutic modality in reducing motor symptoms and improving the quality of life of these patients, standing out compared to other therapeutic modalities analyzed. DBS allowed for a reduction in levodopa dosage, minimizing associated complications, and provided stabilization of symptoms throughout the day. It was also found that, despite the risks associated with the procedure, DBS presents an acceptable safety profile and benefits that outweigh the potential adverse effects, establishing itself as an important therapeutic option for patients with advanced Parkinson's Disease.