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Meeting ID: 928 0482 8495 Passcode: 185518
Title: Effects of subthalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) on binocular coordination of saccades and strabismus angle in Parkinson’s disease (PD)
Speaker: Palak Gupta
Advisor: Dr. Aasef Shaikh
Abstract: Vergence insufficiency and impaired saccades contribute to depth perception deficits, poor navigation, and increased fall risk in PD patients. 1/3rd of PD patients also have strabismus and disabling double vision. DBS is becoming increasingly common for improving general motor symptoms of PD. We examined the effects of bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) DBS on the binocular coordination of saccades in PD. An objective analysis of gaze-holding and saccadic eye movements suggests that saccadic abnormalities and strabismus are prevalent, significant, and interrelated in PD. Our results suggest that STN-DBS also affects the neural pathway common to both vergence and saccades, possibly by acting on the STN–substantia nigra pars reticulata–superior colliculi pathway. These findings provide novel insights into the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease and may yield better treatment strategies, including using STN DBS.