The subthalamic nucleus: A possible target for stereotaxic surgery in parkinson's disease

Abstract
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.