Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation and associations with attention and processing speed in Parkinson's disease.

Although subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN DBS) is an effective treatment for the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD), its effects on cognitive functions are controversial. This cross-sectional study aimed to compare attention and processing speed in PD patients with STN-DBS and those receiving medical therapy, using a multimodal assessment combining P300 event-related potentials and neuropsychological tests. The study included 20 PD patients who underwent STN DBS and 17 PD patients who were followed with medical treatment. Demographic and clinical data for all patients were recorded. Cognitive functions were assessed using the P300 potential, the Stroop test (ST), and the Serial Digit Learning Test (SDLT). P300 potential latency and amplitude values, as well as neuropsychometric test results, were statistically compared between the two groups. P300 latency was shorter in the DBS-treated group than in the non-DBS group (p = 0.004). Performance times on Part III of the ST were shorter in the DBS-treated group (p = 0.03). In addition, a higher proportion of patients in the DBS-treated group performed normally on Part I of the ST compared to the non-DBS group (p = 0.03). There was no significant difference between the two groups in SDLT results. Shorter P300 latency and subtle differences in ST performance suggest a potential association between STN-DBS and the cognitive domains of attention and processing speed. Combining neuropsychological and electrophysiological assessments could provide a more comprehensive evaluation, and future large-scale, longitudinal studies are needed to clarify domain-specific cognitive effects.