Objective: To explore how STN oscillatory activity varies in patients with PD implanted with DBS during motor states that are closer to everyday life yet still controllable in an experimental setting.

Background: Most of the current knowledge about oscillatory activity in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) treated with deep brain stimulation (DBS) is based on electrophysiological recordings obtained under resting conditions, typically with patients seated and immobile. Although useful, this approach provides a limited view of brain dynamics in more realistic functional contexts.

Method: STN local field potentials (LFPs) were recorded in patients with PD during four conditions: (1) seated at rest, (2) seated while moving the hands, (3) standing at rest, and (4)

standing while walking in place. Power spectra, cross-frequency modulation, and other indices of oscillatory connectivity were analyzed.

Results: Condition-dependent variations were observed in the beta and gamma bands, with specific cross-frequency coupling patterns that were modulated under conditions of higher

motor demand.

Conclusion: These findings contribute to a more dynamic understanding of oscillatory pathophysiology in PD and may inform the development of adaptive DBS systems that are more sensitive to the patient’s motor state.

References: This work was partially supported by Project “12-2022”; funded by the Gobierno de Navarra Departamento de Salud, and Project “PI23/01270”, funded by Instituto
de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) and co-funded by the European Union.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/oscillatory-characterization-of-the-stn-beyond-the-resting-state-in-patients-with-parkinsons-disease/