Scientific Reports (Jan 2022)

Serum neurofilament indicates that DBS surgery can cause neuronal damage whereas stimulation itself does not

  • Anika Frank,
  • Jonas Bendig,
  • Iñaki Schniewind,
  • Witold H. Polanski,
  • Stephan B. Sobottka,
  • Heinz Reichmann,
  • Katja Akgün,
  • Tjalf Ziemssen,
  • Lisa Klingelhoefer,
  • Björn H. Falkenburger

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-05117-x
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 1
pp. 1 – 5

Abstract

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Abstract Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a potent symptomatic therapy for Parkinson’s disease, but it is debated whether it causes or prevents neurodegeneration. We used serum neurofilament light chain (NFL) as a reporter for neuronal damage and found no difference between 92 patients with chronic STN-DBS and 57 patients on best medical treatment. Serum NFL transiently increased after DBS surgery whereas the initiation of STN stimulation did not affect NFL levels, suggesting that DBS surgery can be associated with neuronal damage whereas stimulation itself is not.