Levodopa-associated shifts in motor asymmetry and axial burden in Parkinson’s disease: a retrospective cross-sectional study comparing patients with and without STN-DBS

Key Points

• This study aims to examine how levodopa affects motor asymmetry and axial burden in patients with Parkinson’s disease, with and without deep brain stimulation (DBS).
• Retrospective analysis of patient data comparing motor symptoms with and without DBS.
• Assessment of motor phenotype emphasizing asymmetry and axial-to-appendicular burden.
• Levodopa is linked to increased motor asymmetry in patients.
• Patients show greater axial burden, indicating altered motor function despite therapy.