Subthalamic deep brain stimulation increases pallidal firing rate and regularity

René Reese; Arthur Leblois; Frank Steigerwald; Monika Pötter-Nerger; Jan Herzog; H Maximilian Mehdorn; Günther Deuschl; Wassilios G Meissner; Jens Volkmann

doi:10.1016/j.expneurol.2011.01.020

Subthalamic deep brain stimulation increases pallidal firing rate and regularity

Exp Neurol. 2011 Jun;229(2):517-21. doi: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2011.01.020. Epub 2011 Feb 15.

Authors

René Reese¹, Arthur Leblois, Frank Steigerwald, Monika Pötter-Nerger, Jan Herzog, H Maximilian Mehdorn, Günther Deuschl, Wassilios G Meissner, Jens Volkmann

Affiliation

¹ Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany.

PMID: 21303674
DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2011.01.020

Abstract

While high-frequency stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-HFS) is highly effective in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD), the mechanisms underlying its therapeutic action remain unclear. Here, we report changes of single-neuron pallidal activity during STN-HFS in a parkinsonian patient. STN-HFS increased firing rate in both segments of the pallidum. Neurons displayed time-locked responses to stimulation pulses, with an early excitation followed by inhibition and late excitation. Finally, pallidal neurons fired more regularly during STN-HFS. The time-locked responses and increased firing regularity may override abnormally patterned pallidal activity, and thereby significantly contribute to the clinical efficacy of STN-HFS in PD.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Action Potentials / physiology
Deep Brain Stimulation*
Electrodes, Implanted
Globus Pallidus / physiology*
Humans
Neurons / physiology*
Parkinson Disease / physiopathology*
Parkinson Disease / therapy
Subthalamic Nucleus / physiology*