Objective: To assess the prevalence and factors of detectable local field potential (LFP) signals in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) of Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients.

Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) effectively treats the motor symptoms of PD, though opportunities exist to improve the therapy. Representing population level neuronal oscillations surrounding the DBS lead, LFPs may be used to understand and manage therapy.  LFP beta band (13-30 Hz) power fluctuations have been correlated with different PD symptoms and therapy states. In addition, LFPs may be control signals for adaptive DBS (aDBS), a promising approach for tailoring and optimizing therapy. However, the translational potential of LFPs is debated, particularly regarding accessibility and chronic stability.

Method: This was a retrospective data analysis from 68 PD subjects with 136 DBS leads targeted to the STN from seven DBS centers. Six centers recorded resting-state LFPs using an investigational chronically-implanted stimulation and sensing system, and one center recorded LFPs intraoperatively from externalized leads. The relationships between lead neuroanatomical location, the amplitude of LFP beta power, and therapy outcomes were assessed using imaging, LFP and Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale part III (UPDRS III) score data.

Results: Approximately 80% of the subjects had at least one DBS lead that sensed LFP beta power signals with sufficient signal-to-noise for credible detection (≥0.8 uV/rtHz). Although a significantly higher LFP beta power amplitude was detected in akinetic rigid (AR) compared to tremor dominant (TD) subjects (p=0.05), the percentage of leads with detectable LFP beta signal was similar between the two groups (68% AR vs. 63% TD). Overall, significantly higher LFP beta power amplitude was sensed by electrode pairs that included the therapeutic cathode (p<0.005) and higher LFP beta power amplitude was sensed more proximal to the dorsolateral STN (p<0.001).

Conclusion: This was a unique and relatively large multicenter retrospective assessment of LFP beta signals in STN PD patients. The results suggest that most PD patients may be expected to exhibit sufficient STN LFP signals to be considered eligible for chronic brain sensing applications, using current DBS therapy standard of care and regardless of disease phenotype.

Previously presented at NANS Meeting 2020, Las Vegas, NV (1)

References: 1. Case, M, Bronte-Stewart, H, Kühn, A., Bötzel, K, Hebb, A, Starr, P, Klassen, B, Ince, N, Blumenfeld, Z, Neumann, J, Hell, F, Hanrahan, S, Swann, N, Ozturk, M, Stanslaski, S, Vasoli, V, Xiao, J, Goetz, S, Denison, T, Raike, RS. A retrospective analysis of multicenter chronic brain signal data recorded in Parkinson subjects implanted with deep brain stimulation leads. Annual North American Neuromodulation Society Meeting, January 23-26, 2020, Las Vegas, NV:

« Back to MDS Virtual Congress 2020

MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/a-retrospective-analysis-of-multicenter-brain-signal-data-recorded-in-parkinsons-subjects-implanted-with-deep-brain-stimulation-leads/