The subthalamic nucleus: a possible target for stereotaxic surgery in Parkinson's disease

Hyperactivity in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) projections to the globus pallidus medialis (GPM) has been established as a crucial feature of parkinsonism in animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD). Recent experiments blocking the STN glutamatergic output to GPM or lesioning the STN support this concept by showing a dramatic reversal of parkinsonism.

We review the role of stereotaxic surgery in the past and the possible future application of subthalamotomy for PD.

CITA DEL ARTÍCULO  Mov Disord. 1993 Oct;8(4):421-9