Short-and long-term responsiveness of deep brain stimulation on motor and cognitive outcomes in GBA vs. Non-GBA parkinson’s disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Gonzales Romero P.F.; Bermejo Rosado P.; Paredes Torres F.; Váscones-Román F.F.; Limbania D.; Pichardo-Rojas D.; Quispe-Vicuña C.; Nuñez-Castellanos C.; Yazdanian F.; Warren A.E.L.; Pacheco-Barrios N.; Rolston J.D. · Neurosurgical Review (2026) · DOI: 10.1007/s10143-026-04331-9

Resumen

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an established therapy for motor complications in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Patients carrying glucocerebrosidase (GBA) mutations exhibit distinct disease trajectories, raising questions regarding potential differences in clinical outcomes following DBS compared with non-carriers. To evaluate short- and long-term motor, medication, and cognitive outcomes following DBS in patients with GBA-PD compared with non-GBA PD. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting clinical outcomes in PD patients with and without GBA mutations who underwent DBS and had a minimum follow-up of one year. Random-effects inverse variance models were applied, with subgroup analyses according to GBA status. DBS was associated with significant improvements in motor function in the off-medication state and sustained reductions in levodopa equivalent daily dose in both GBA carriers and non-carriers, with no significant between-group differences. Cognitive performance declined over long-term follow-up in both groups. At five years, greater cognitive decline, assessed using the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale, was observed among GBA-PD mutation carriers compared with non-carriers. Motor improvement and medication reduction following DBS were comparable between PD patients with and without GBA mutations. Over long-term follow-up, greater cognitive decline was observed among GBA-PD carriers. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2026.

Instituciones: Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; Universidad Científica del Sur; Universidad Católica de Santa María