Epidural spinal cord stimulation in hereditary spastic paraplegia: preliminary results

Akinfiev V.M.; Simonyan A.S.; Gushcha A.O.; Krylov V.V.

doi:https://doi.org/10.17116/neiro20269002162

Akinfiev V.M.

Russian Center for Neurology and Neurosciences, Moscow, Russia

ORCID: 0000-0002-7518-3812

Simonyan A.S.

Russian Center for Neurology and Neurosciences, Moscow, Russia

ORCID: 0000-0001-8848-801X

Gushcha A.O.

Russian Center for Neurology and Neurosciences, Moscow, Russia

ORCID: 0000-0003-3451-5750

Krylov V.V.

Russian Center for Neurology and Neurosciences, Moscow, Russia

ORCID: 0000-0001-5256-0905

Epidural spinal cord stimulation in hereditary spastic paraplegia: preliminary results

Authors:

Akinfiev V.M., Simonyan A.S., Gushcha A.O., Krylov V.V.

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Journal: Burdenko's Journal of Neurosurgery. 2026;90(2): 62‑69

DOI: 10.17116/neiro20269002162

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To cite this article:

Akinfiev VM, Simonyan AS, Gushcha AO, Krylov VV. Epidural spinal cord stimulation in hereditary spastic paraplegia: preliminary results. Burdenko's Journal of Neurosurgery. 2026;90(2):62‑69. (In Russ., In Engl.)
https://doi.org/10.17116/neiro20269002162

Подписка 2025 Журнал «Вопросы нейрохирургии» имени Н.Н. Бурденко (Burdenko's Journal of Neurosurgery)

Использование инфографики авторами научных работ

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OBJECTIVE

To evaluate safety and efficacy of epidural spinal cord stimulation in patients with hereditary spastic paraplegia.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study (2015—2024) included patients with hereditary spastic paraplegia refractory to conservative treatment. After test stimulation, permanent spinal stimulation systems (classic generator-based and wireless external) were implanted in 18 patients. The modified Ashworth scale, the Spastic Paraplegia Rating Scale (SPRS), the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), the Ten-Meters Walk Test (10MWT), and the SF-36 questionnaire were used to assess neurological status preoperatively and six months after surgery. The study was approved by local ethics committee.

RESULTS

Implantation of permanent stimulation system (electrodes at the level of Th10-Th12) was performed in 18 patients (13 men, 5 women). Of these, 7 patients received wireless systems with external energy source, while 11 ones received classic generator systems. Six months after the intervention, we observed improvements in the following parameters compared to pre-implantation state: MAS score from 3 to 1.5—1 (18 patients); TUG test by 11.2—19.7% (17 patients); 10MWT test by 12.6—20.5% (17 patients); SPRS score by 27.9% (17 patients); SF-36 score 30—66% (16 patients).

CONCLUSION

Epidural spinal cord stimulation may be considered for hereditary spastic paraplegia, but further research is needed to clarify its role in symptomatic treatment of spastic paraplegia.

Keywords:

epidural spinal cord stimulation

spasticity

hereditary spastic paraplegia

Authors:

Akinfiev V.M.

Russian Center for Neurology and Neurosciences, Moscow, Russia

ORCID: 0000-0002-7518-3812

Simonyan A.S.

Russian Center for Neurology and Neurosciences, Moscow, Russia

ORCID: 0000-0001-8848-801X

Gushcha A.O.

Russian Center for Neurology and Neurosciences, Moscow, Russia

ORCID: 0000-0003-3451-5750

Krylov V.V.

Russian Center for Neurology and Neurosciences, Moscow, Russia

ORCID: 0000-0001-5256-0905

Received:

27.01.2026

Accepted:

30.01.2026

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References:

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