Evaluating Deep Brain Stimulation Tolerability in Tourette Syndrome

Influence of Electrode Configuration, Target Selection, and Stimulation Mode

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32473/ufjur.27.139063

Keywords:

Deep Brain Stimulation, Tourette syndrome, Centromedian Nucleus, Globus Pallidum

Abstract

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an emerging treatment for individuals with Tourette Syndrome (TS), a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by motor and vocal tics. This study investigated the safety and tolerability of unilateral DBS in six individuals with medically refractory TS. Quantitative threshold amplitudes and qualitative side effects were evaluated during controlled DBS modulation in the centromedian nucleus (CM) of the thalamus and the anterior internal segment of the globus pallidum (aGPi). Key findings suggest that patients are more tolerable to aGPi stimulation (2.2 ± 0.0 mA) and stimulation in ring mode electrode configuration (3.3 ± 3.2 mA). A significant statistical interaction (p = 0.013) was found between the aGPi and CM, suggesting an electrophysiological or anatomical connection between them. Paresthesia (46.85%) was the frequently occurring adverse effect experienced by all patients regardless of stimulation modulation. Insights gained could refine stimulation parameters, enhance therapeutic efficacy, and reduce side effects, contributing to personalized treatment strategies for TS.

Author Biographies

Grace Lowor, University of Florida

Co-Author

Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

William Tvenstrup, University of Florida

Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

Julieth Gomez, University of Florida

Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

Matthew Hook, University of Florida

Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

Department of Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

Chris Butson, University of Florida

Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

Department of Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

Kelly Foote, University of Florida

Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

Michael Okun, University of Florida

Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

Department of Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

Aysegul Gunduz, University of Florida

Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

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Published

2025-11-05

Issue

Vol. 27 (2025): UF JUR

Section

STEM & Medicine

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Rohan Joshi, Grace Lowor, William Tvenstrup, Julieth Gomez, Matthew Hook, Chris Butson, Kelly Foote, Michael Okun, Aysegul Gunduz

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

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