Category: Parkinson's Disease: Surgical Therapy
Objective: We hypothesized that optimal stimulation setting may involve a muti-contact configuration rather than a single contact with the largest therapeutic window (TW). We aimed to assess whether deep brain stimulation (DBS) configuration computed by Ilumina 3D (Boston Scientific) contact weighting correlates with intraoperative subthalamic nucleus (STN) beta-band local field potential (LFP) power in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD).
Background: Monopolar review remains the gold standard for identifying the contact with the widest TW in PD patients undergoing DBS. More recently, biomarker-based approaches, such as beta-band activity, and image-guided strategies using lead–anatomy relationships have been proposed to streamline programming and improve precision. Ilumina 3D provides AI-based image guidance to prioritize stimulation of an optimal therapeutic “hot spot” while minimizing current spread to surrounding structures.
Method: 20 PD patients (7 females) 53,6 mean age, undergoing DBS targeting STN with directional leads were included in this study. Intraoperative LFPs were recorded, and beta-band power was quantified using bipolar configurations. For each lead, beta power estimates were correlated with the percentage of activation (weighting) suggested by Ilumina 3D for the highest-ranked contacts. Correlations were computed within subjects and pooled across leads.
Results: Preliminary analysis in 20 PD patients are ongoing. Mean disease duration was 10,6 years and UPDRS part Ⅲ score in the off-medication state was 33,8. Correlations between STN beta-band power across leads and configuration computed by Ilumina 3D are currently being evaluated. These analyses will determine whether multi-contact distributions align with beta “hot zones”.
Conclusion: This pilot study investigates the concordance between AI-driven image-guided programming recommendations and intraoperative STN beta activity. If confirmed, STN beta physiology may provide neurophysiological support for image-guided programming and reinforce the use of individualized multi-contact stimulation strategies.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
S. Obika, M. Del Alamo, D. Ortiz-Zacarías, C. Fernandez, F. Alonso-Frech. Beyond the “best contact”: correlation of ai-guided dbs contact distribution and subthalamic nucleus beta physiology in parkinson’s disease patients [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2026; 41 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/beyond-the-best-contact-correlation-of-ai-guided-dbs-contact-distribution-and-subthalamic-nucleus-beta-physiology-in-parkinsons-disease-patients/. Accessed October 1, 2026.« Back to 2026 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/beyond-the-best-contact-correlation-of-ai-guided-dbs-contact-distribution-and-subthalamic-nucleus-beta-physiology-in-parkinsons-disease-patients/