Globus pallidus deep brain stimulation for generalized dystonia: Clinical and PET investigation

Bilateral globus pallidus internus (GPi) deep brain stimulation (DBS) in a patient with severe idiopathic generalized dystonia resulted in immediate improvement of all aspects of dystonia. During joystick movement, GPi DBS reduced PET activation bilaterally in the primary motor, lateral premotor, supplementary motor, anterior cingulate, and prefrontal areas and ipsilaterally in the lentiform nucleus. Altering basal ganglia function with GPi DBS reverses the overactivity of certain motor cortical areas present in dystonia.