Infrathalamic ablation in advanced Parkinson's disease: Three-year outcomes support a safe and accessible therapeutic strategy.
Infrathalamic ablation in advanced Parkinson's disease: Three-year outcomes support a safe and accessible therapeutic strategy.
Where did the research take place?
The study site has not been established. Author addresses may differ from where the research occurred.
Guayaquil, EC · Author affiliation
Department of Neurosurgery, Omni Hospital Guayaquil, Ecuador.Location evidence
Temuco, CL · Author affiliation
Departamento de Procesos Terapéuticos, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Católica de Temuco, Temuco, Chile.Location evidence
CL · Author affiliation · country only
Escuela de Kinesiología, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santo Tomas, Chile.Location evidence
Santo Tomás, CO · Author affiliation
Escuela de Kinesiología, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santo Tomas, Chile; Departamento de Ciencias Sociales, Universidad de La Costa, Barranquilla, Colombia; Centro de Investigación en Prevención y Cuidados de la Salud (+SALUD), Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santo Tomás, Santiago, Chile. Electronic address: nlopez17@cuc.edu.co.Location evidence
Barranquilla, CO · Author affiliation
Escuela de Kinesiología, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santo Tomas, Chile; Departamento de Ciencias Sociales, Universidad de La Costa, Barranquilla, Colombia; Centro de Investigación en Prevención y Cuidados de la Salud (+SALUD), Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santo Tomás, Santiago, Chile. Electronic address: nlopez17@cuc.edu.co.Location evidence
Santiago, CL · Author affiliation
Escuela de Kinesiología, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santo Tomas, Chile; Departamento de Ciencias Sociales, Universidad de La Costa, Barranquilla, Colombia; Centro de Investigación en Prevención y Cuidados de la Salud (+SALUD), Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santo Tomás, Santiago, Chile. Electronic address: nlopez17@cuc.edu.co.Location evidence
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Original abstract
BACKGROUND: Advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) presents significant therapeutic challenges, especially in resource-limited settings. While deep brain stimulation (DBS) remains the gold standard, its accessibility is restricted. Infrathalamic stereotactic ablation has emerged as a promising alternative. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes of combined stereotactic ablation targeting the caudal zona incerta and Fields of Forel in patients with advanced PD and a tremor-rigid phenotype. METHODS: A longitudinal study with 36-month follow-up was conducted in ten patients with unilateral, medication-refractory PD symptoms. Stereotactic radiofrequency lesions were applied, and motor outcomes were assessed using UPDRS-III in the medication "off" state at multiple time points. RESULTS: Significant motor improvement was observed from baseline (55.0 ± 7.2) to 36 months (18.7 ± 4.6), with large effect sizes and sustained reductions in tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and gait impairment. No major complications occurred, and transient adverse effects resolved spontaneously. CONCLUSION: Combined infrathalamic ablation offers sustained clinical benefits and an optimal safety profile, supporting its role as an effective and accessible treatment option for advanced PD in low- and middle-income contexts.