Effects of deep brain stimulation on personality and executive function in Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is associated with cognitive and personality changes that extend beyond its characteristic motor symptoms. Objective: To analyze the effects of subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) on executive function (EF) and personality (The Five-Factor Model — FFM) in PD patients, comparing outcomes between those treated solely with medication and those receiving both medication and STN-DBS. Methods: A total of 69 participants were divided into three groups: DBS, medication, and control. Evaluations included inventories, tests, and scales, with results summarized in tables highlighting sociodemographic variables and screening outcomes. Results: Cognitive assessments indicated that the DBS group exhibited slightly lower cognitive scores compared to the medication group. Personality differences were minimal, with only extraversion demonstrating significance. Conclusion: STN-DBS did not have a significant impact on executive functions or personality traits in patients with PD. These results highlight the importance of considering broader cognitive and neuropsychiatric factors when evaluating patient outcomes following DBS.