NeuralCipher Research overview
The text below is the source article’s original abstract under a verified reuse license. cc by
ObjectiveWhether cognitive decline in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) carrying GBA1 variants is accelerated after subthalamic deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) remains controversial. Clarifying long-term cognitive outcomes is essential for informed decision making.MethodsWe assembled matched cohorts of patients carrying GBA1 variants with STN-DBS (PDGBA1+DBS+, n = 28) and without (PDG BA1+DBS-, n = 28). Additional cohorts included non-carriers with STN-DBS (PDGBA1-DBS+, n = 40) and without (PDGBA1-DBS-, n = 43). Clinical, genetic, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers (Aβ1-42, h-Tau, p181-Tau, and neurofilament light chain) were analyzed. Cognition was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Cognitive slopes were estimated using linear mixed models and the minimally detectable slope difference at 3-year follow-up was 1.33 MoCA points enabling sensitivity to clinically meaningful changes. Secondarily, conversion to dementia was analyzed with Kaplan-Meier-analysis once the MoCA was ResultsThere was no significant difference in cognitive decline between PDGBA1+DBS+ and PDGBA1+DBS- (-0.24 MoCA points/year; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -1.11 to 0.70) projecting to -0.72 MoCA points at 3-year-follow-up (p = 0.583). Secondarily, the risk for conversion to dementia did not differ between PDGBA1+DBS+ and PDGBA1+DBS- (HR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.23-1.34, p = 0.119) or between PDGBA1-DBS+ and PDGBA1-DBS- (HR = 1.22, 95% CI = 0.53-2.83, p = 0.897). Dementia risk was associated with GBA1 status (HR = 3.04, 95% CI = 1.05-8.79, p = 0.041), baseline MoCA 69 years (HR = 4.42, 95% CI = 1.79-10.89, p = 0.001). In GBA1 carriers, a visuospatial/executive domain score InterpretationGBA1 variant carriers meeting general STN-DBS indication criteria did not show accelerated cognitive decline in the presence of STN-DBS. In addition, exploratory predictors of dementia could support counseling of DBS candidates. ANN NEUROL 2026;99:976-988.
Scientific assessment
Research question
Assess the question within the original study’s scope.
Methods & sample
Check the source article for study design and sample details.
Key findings
An editorially approved findings summary is not yet published for this record.
Limitations
Generalizability, bias and clinical meaning require separate assessment.
Methods, samples and clinical conclusions are not inferred from bibliographic metadata.