Pallidal Deep Brain Stimulation for Tremor Control in a Child with Juvenile DNAJC6-Associated Parkinsonism

Katerina Bernardi; Deyana Valcheva; Rene Marquez Franco; Michael T. Barbe; Jochen Wirths; Anne Koy; Moritz Thiel

doi:10.5334/tohm.1187

Pallidal Deep Brain Stimulation for Tremor Control in a Child with Juvenile DNAJC6-Associated Parkinsonism

Volume 16 (2026): Issue 1

By: Katerina Bernardi , Deyana Valcheva, Rene Marquez Franco , Michael T. Barbe , Jochen Wirths, Anne Koy and Moritz Thiel

Open Access

|May 2026

Abstract

Background: Juvenile DNAJC6-associated Parkinson’s disease is a rare cause of early-onset parkinsonism with limited treatment data.

Case Report: We describe a 15-year-old female with a novel DNAJC6 variant presenting with progressive tremor, bradykinesia, and postural instability. Although initially responsive to levodopa, she developed severe medication-induced motor fluctuations refractory to multiple pharmacological therapies. Due to disabling tremor, bilateral globus pallidus internus deep brain stimulation (GPi-DBS) was performed, resulting in marked and sustained tremor reduction.

Discussion: This case highlights the severe course of DNAJC6-associated juvenile parkinsonism and supports GPi-DBS as an effective option for refractory tremor.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/tohm.1187 | Journal eISSN: 2160-8288

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Language: English

Page range: 32 - 32

Submitted on: Feb 11, 2026

Accepted on: Feb 13, 2026

Published on: May 21, 2026

Published by: Ubiquity Press

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 1 issue per year

Keywords:

DNAJC6,

Juvenile Parkinsonism,

DBS,

Tremor

© 2026 Katerina Bernardi, Deyana Valcheva, Rene Marquez Franco, Michael T. Barbe, Jochen Wirths, Anne Koy, Moritz Thiel, published by Ubiquity Press
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 16 (2026): Issue 1