Biochemical mechanisms of pallidal deep brain stimulation in X-linked dystonia parkinsonism

Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2015 Aug;21(8):954-9. doi: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2015.06.010. Epub 2015 Jun 11.

Abstract

Objective: Invasive techniques such as in-vivo microdialysis provide the opportunity to directly assess neurotransmitter levels in subcortical brain areas.

Methods: Five male Filipino patients (mean age 42.4, range 34-52 years) with severe X-linked dystonia-parkinsonism underwent bilateral implantation of deep brain leads into the internal part of the globus pallidus (GPi). Intraoperative microdialysis and measurement of gamma aminobutyric acid and glutamate was performed in the GPi in three patients and globus pallidus externus (GPe) in two patients at baseline for 25/30 min and during 25/30 min of high-frequency GPi stimulation.

Results: While the gamma-aminobutyric acid concentration increased in the GPi during high frequency stimulation (231 ± 102% in comparison to baseline values), a decrease was observed in the GPe (22 ± 10%). Extracellular glutamate levels largely remained unchanged.

Conclusions: Pallidal microdialysis is a promising intraoperative monitoring tool to better understand pathophysiological implications in movement disorders and therapeutic mechanisms of high frequency stimulation. The increased inhibitory tone of GPi neurons and the subsequent thalamic inhibition could be one of the key mechanisms of GPi deep brain stimulation in dystonia. Such a mechanism may explain how competing (dystonic) movements can be suppressed in GPi/thalamic circuits in favour of desired motor programs.

Keywords: Deep brain stimulation; Dystonia; GABA; Globus pallidus; Glutamate.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Deep Brain Stimulation / methods*
  • Dystonic Disorders / surgery
  • Dystonic Disorders / therapy*
  • Female
  • Genetic Diseases, X-Linked / surgery
  • Genetic Diseases, X-Linked / therapy*
  • Globus Pallidus / chemistry*
  • Globus Pallidus / surgery
  • Glutamic Acid / analysis
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microdialysis
  • Middle Aged
  • Monitoring, Intraoperative / methods*
  • Neurosurgical Procedures / methods*
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / analysis*

Substances

  • Glutamic Acid
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid

Supplementary concepts

  • Dystonia 3, Torsion, X-Linked