Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation evokes resonant neural activity

TLDR

Deep brain stimulation is increasingly used for neurological and psychiatric disorders, yet a target‑specific biomarker is needed to optimize therapy. The study aims to show that the resonant neural response evoked by DBS can serve as a biomarker for guiding electrode implantation and customizing therapy. The authors recorded a large‑amplitude resonant neural response in the subthalamic nucleus during DBS. DBS elicits a large‑amplitude resonant neural response in the subthalamic nucleus, strongest in the dorsal region—the optimal Parkinson’s target—coinciding with improved clinical performance, and persisting chronically and under general anesthesia. Published in Annals of Neurology, 2018; volume 83, pages 1027–1031.

Abstract

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a rapidly expanding treatment for neurological and psychiatric conditions; however, a target‐specific biomarker is required to optimize therapy. Here, we show that DBS evokes a large‐amplitude resonant neural response focally in the subthalamic nucleus. This response is greatest in the dorsal region (the clinically optimal stimulation target for Parkinson disease), coincides with improved clinical performance, is chronically recordable, and is present under general anesthesia. These features make it a readily utilizable electrophysiological signal that could potentially be used for guiding electrode implantation surgery and tailoring DBS therapy to improve patient outcomes. Ann Neurol 2018;83:1027–1031