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Objective: In patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), deep brainstimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN DBS) is well recognizedin improving limb function, but the outcome on swallowing functionhas rarely been studied. The aim of this work was to evaluate theeffect of STN DBS on pharyngeal swallowing function in patientswith PD using self-estimation and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation ofswallowing.

Methods: Eleven patients (aged 41–72, median 61 years)were evaluated preoperatively and at 6 and 12 months after STN DBSsurgery. All patients were evaluated with self-estimation on a visualanalogue scale, and eight of them with a fiberoptic endoscopicexamination with a predefined swallowing protocol includingRosenbek’s Penetration-Aspiration Scale, Secretion Severity Scale,preswallow spillage, pharyngeal residue, and pharyngeal clearance.

Results: The self-assessments of swallowing function revealed asubjective improvement with STN DBS stimulation, whereas the datafrom the swallowing protocol did not show any significant effect ofthe STN DBS treatment itself. The prevalence of aspiration was notaffected by the surgery.

Conclusions: The results show thatswallowing function was not negatively affected by STN DBS and therisk of aspiration did not increase. Self-estimation of swallowingfunction showed a subjective improvement due to stimulation.

Objective The purpose of the present study was to examine if there was a negative effect of caudal Zona Incerta deep brain stimulation (cZI DBS) on pharyngeal swallowing function in Parkinson’s patients (PD). There are no former reports on swallowing and cZI DBS.

Methods Eight patients (aged 49 to 71 years; median 62) were evaluated pre- and postoperatively, at six and 12 months after DBS surgery. Evaluation tools were Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing examinations and patients’ self-assessments of the swallowing function including a visual analogue scale and quality of life related questions. The swallowing protocol included Rosenbeck’s Penetration-Aspiration Scale, Secretion Severity Scale and parameters for pre-swallow spillage, pharyngeal residue and pharyngeal clearance.

Results There was no clear-cut effect of neurostimulation postoperatively at six and 12 months on any of the swallowing parameters except for pre-swallow spillage which was slightly worsened in the stimulation on condition 12m postoperatively. The answers to the self assessment questions did not vary significantly.

Conclusions The effect of the stimulation on swallowing function varied among individuals but the overall outcome was that cZI DBS did not seem to have a negative influence on swallowing function in the eight patients studied.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine swallowing function in patients with Parkinson's disease before and after caudal zona incerta deep brain (cZI DBS) surgery. The aims were to examine the effect of cZI DBS on swallowing safety regarding liquid and solid food, as well as to identify the effect of cZI DBS on body mass index (BMI) and specific items from part II of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS).

Materials and Methods: The median age of the 14 patients was 57 years (range 46–71), with a median disease duration of 6 years (range 2–13). The present sample is an extension of a previous report, into which six additional patients have been added. Fiber endoscopic examinations of swallowing function, measures of BMI, and evaluation of UPDRS part II items were made before and 12 months after surgery, with and without activated DBS.

Results: There were no significant changes due to cZI DBS regarding penetration/aspiration, pharyngeal residue or premature spillage (p > .05). Median BMI increased by +1.1 kg/m² 12 months after surgery (p = .01, r = .50). All reported specific symptoms from the UPDRS part II were slight or mild. A significant improvement regarding handling of utensils was seen 12 months postoperatively (p = .03, r = −.42).

Conclusions: Caudal zona incerta DBS was found not to have a negative impact on swallowing safety. A significant increase in postoperative weight was observed, and speech seemed to be slightly negatively affected, whereas handling of utensils was improved with cZI DBS.

Objectives: The management of Parkinson’s disease (PD) has been improved, but management of features like swallowing problems is still challenging. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) alleviates the cardinal motor symptoms and improves quality of life, but its effect on swallowing is not fully explored. The purpose of this study was to examine self-reported swallowing specific quality of life, before and after caudal zona incerta DBS (cZI DBS), in comparison with a control group.

Methods: Nine PD patients (2 women and 7 men) completed the self-report Swallowing Quality of Life questionnaire (SWAL-QOL) before and 12 months after cZI DBS surgery. The postoperative data were compared to nine controls. Median ages were 53 years (range 40-70) for patients and 54 years (range 42-72) for controls.

Results: No significant differences were found between the pre-, or postoperative scores. The SWAL-QOL total scores did not differ significantly between PD patients and controls. PD patients reported significantly lower scores in the 'burden' subscale and in the 'symptom' scale.

Conclusions: PD patients selected for cZI DBS showed a good self-reported swallowing specific quality of life, in many aspects equal to controls. CZI DBS did not negatively affect swallowing specific quality of life in this study.