Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40526321›Full record

SynthesisNeurosurgical review2025

Efficacy and safety of multiple-target deep brain stimulation in non-parkinsonian movement disorders: a systematic review.

Evangelos Kalogirou, Spyridon Voulgaris, George A Alexiou

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Neurosurgical review, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Evangelos KalogirouDepartment of Neurosurgery, University of Ioannina, School of Medicine, 45500, Ioannina, Greece.
Spyridon VoulgarisDepartment of Neurosurgery, University of Ioannina, School of Medicine, 45500, Ioannina, Greece.
George A AlexiouDepartment of Neurosurgery, University of Ioannina, School of Medicine, 45500, Ioannina, Greece. galexiou@uoi.gr.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionTo analyze studies employing multiple-target deep brain stimulation (DBS) for non-parkinsonian movement disorders and identify potential indications, therapeutic outcomes, and associated side effects.

methodsWe systematically screened PubMed and included studies involving patients treated with DBS targeting at least two brain regions, synchronous stimulation of ≥2 regions, patient data regarding symptoms/disease, and reported outcomes. Exclusion criteria included animal studies and reports lacking original data.

resultsTwenty-seven studies were identified, included and analyzed; general trends were noted for each disorder. For essential tremor multi-target DBS (VIM+VOA/VOP) demonstrated promising outcomes regarding symptom improvement and reduction of side-effects. For multiple Sclerosis Tremor limited evidence suggested positive outcomes, comparable to standard DBS. The VIM/VOP border has been highlighted as a promising target. Regarding holmes Tremor although limited to case reports, multi-target DBS yielded favorable outcomes with minimal adverse effects. Finaly for dystonia multi-target DBS (GPi+VIM, GPi+VO) effectively addressed tremor and dystonic features. Statistically significant advantages were demonstrated over single-target stimulation in myoclonus-dystonia and hemidystonia.

conclusionWhile variability in target selection, methodologies, and outcomes precludes a meta-analysis, evidence supports the potential role of multi-target DBS in cases where single-target stimulation is inadequate. Promising target combinations, such as GPi+VIM (myoclonus-dystonia) and VIM+VOA (essential tremor), warrant further clinical exploration. The heterogeneity and predominance of case reports highlight the need for high-quality, controlled studies to refine indications and optimize strategies for multi-target DBS.

Indexed as

Deep Brain StimulationMovement DisordersDystoniaDystonic DisordersEssential TremorHumansTreatment OutcomeTremorDual-target DBSDystoniaEssential tremorHolme’s tremorMovement disordersMultiple SclerosisMultiple-target DBS

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.