Bilateral Pallidal Stimulation in Severe Drug-Resistant Tourette Syndrome
Tourette syndrome (TS) represents a progressive extrapyramidal disorder characterized by motor and vocal tics in combination with cognitive and behavioral symptoms. Neuroleptic medications remain the mainstay of TS treatment; however, in drug-resistant forms of the disease, one can use surgical neuromodulation, deep brain stimulation (DBS), with implanted electrodes. In this paper we present our own experience of successful surgical treatment of TS with the use of globus pallidum internum DBS in 4 patients with drug-resistant TS. The results were positive in all cases. The YGTSS scale severity of tics decreased by 20-85% (mean, 37.5%), and the motor effect was accompanied by significant improvement of the patients’ social status. No serious complications were observed.