Mueller K, et al. - Researchers sought for functional brain connectivity patterns when comparing levodopa treatment with deep brain stimulation (DBS) in Parkinson's disease. Findings revealed, for the first time, significant functional connectivity changes when comparing the effects of subthalamic nucleus (STN) DBS and oral levodopa administration, demonstrating different treatment-specific mechanisms linked to clinical benefit in PD. Specifically, STN DBS was associated with increased connectivity within the cortico-thalamo-cerebellar network in contrast to levodopa treatment. Moreover, the favorable effects of STN DBS on motor complications suggested a contribution of changes in the patients' clinical profile to connectivity changes associated with STN-DBS.