NEW findings indicate that postoperative changes in beta power within the subthalamic nucleus may explain the transient stun effect experienced by patients with Parkinson’s disease after deep brain stimulation surgery. These results highlight the need for clinicians to consider the neurophysiological impact of surgery when planning early stimulation protocols.
In this study, investigators continuously recorded local field potentials from 32 patients using implanted neurostimulators during the first 2 months following surgery. By analyzing daily beta peak power, they sought to capture the temporal profile of the stun effect and its influence on neural oscillations.
The analysis revealed that median beta power showed an overall upward trajectory, with a distinct changepoint detected between 24 and 40 days after surgery. Importantly, median beta power did not decline immediately after stimulation was activated but continued to rise beyond the activation visit. These findings suggest that the stun effect persists for at least three weeks after implantation, with measurable changes in beta oscillations that extend well into the recovery period.
Clinically, this has important implications for the timing of programming and adaptive deep brain stimulation strategies. Because beta power is frequently used as a biomarker to guide stimulation, understanding how it fluctuates during the stun period can prevent misinterpretation of neural signals and support more effective patient management.
For physicians, the study underscores the value of integrating longitudinal monitoring of neural activity into the postoperative care pathway. Recognizing that beta power dynamics continue to evolve after surgery may help refine decisions about when to initiate stimulation and how to tailor therapy for sustained outcomes.
Reference: de Neeling MGJ et al. Temporal dynamics of beta power related to the stun effect in Parkinson’s disease patients after deep brain stimulation surgery. Mov Disord. 2025. doi:10.1002/mds.70042
