Objective: Compare local field potential (LFP) magnitude and anatomical location measured from a chronically implanted deep brain stimulation (DBS) lead within the subthalamic nucleus (STN) using a novel sensing feature, monopolar sensing.
Background: Optimizing DBS for Parkinson’s disease (PD) requires a trial-and-error process evaluating clinical benefits and adverse effects. A novel monopolar sensing configuration within a fully implanted DBS system has been shown to improve clinical efficiency for selecting optimal therapeutic settings. We hypothesize that the LFP magnitude of beta (~13-30 Hz) power will align with the dorsal region of the STN.
Method: Ten PD patients (4F/6M, post diagnosis = 9.2 ± 3.5 years, on/off medication percent change = 43.7 ± 14) with bilateral STN DBS were recruited. During the initial programming visit, monopolar sensing was recorded and later post-processed into a visual guide to label relative LFP magnitude strength. The electrodes were labeled as “Most LFP magnitude” (highest 20% of electrodes), “Medium LFP magnitude” (mid-ranked electrodes), and “Least LFP magnitude” (lowest 40% of electrodes). Imaging software was used for anatomical segmentation and lead orientation. Post-processing was performed to create a common space STN.
Results: Of electrodes with “Most LFP Magnitude” 16/31 were within the dorsolateral region of the STN. In comparison, 17/26 electrodes of “Medium LFP magnitude” were within the dorsomedial STN. “Least LFP Magnitude” electrodes had 3/23 outside of the STN with 10/23 within the dorsolateral STN [figure1].
Conclusion: This pilot study demonstrates that LFP magnitude strength classification using a novel monopolar sensing configuration identifies greatest beta power within the STN specifically within the dorsolateral region. This novel sensing feature is now approved in the US and Europe and has the potential to more efficiently inform optimal therapeutic stimulation parameters.
Figure1
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
M. Case, C. Zarns, A. Holt-Becker, R. Raike, E. Radcliffe, A. Baumgartner, J. Thompson, D. Kern. Mapping aggregate monopolar sensing data of beta power local field potentials onto a common subthalamic nucleus in Parkinson’s disease patients [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2025; 40 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/mapping-aggregate-monopolar-sensing-data-of-beta-power-local-field-potentials-onto-a-common-subthalamic-nucleus-in-parkinsons-disease-patients/. Accessed October 5, 2025.« Back to 2025 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/mapping-aggregate-monopolar-sensing-data-of-beta-power-local-field-potentials-onto-a-common-subthalamic-nucleus-in-parkinsons-disease-patients/