Single-unit activity of the anterior Globus pallidus internus in Tourette patients and posterior Globus pallidus internus in dystonic patients

Clin Neurophysiol. 2017 Dec;128(12):2510-2518. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2017.10.003. Epub 2017 Oct 16.

Abstract

Objectives: Our goal was to provide a detailed analysis of neurons' electrophysiological activity recorded in sub-territories of Globus pallidus internus (GPi) used as Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) targets for these clinical conditions to potentially assist electrode targeting.

Methods: We used intra-operative microelectrode recording during stereotactic neurosurgery to guide implantation of DBS lead.

Results: Units in the medial anterior part of GPi of 7 Tourette's syndrome patients under general anesthesia were firing at mean and median rate of 32.1 and 21 Hz respectively (n = 101), with 45% of spikes fired during bursts and 21.3 bursts per minute. In the latero-posterior part of GPi of 7 dystonic patients under local anesthesia the mean and median activity were 46.1 and 30.6 Hz respectively (n = 27), and a mean of 21.7 bursts per minute was observed, with 30% of all spikes occurring during these bursts.

Conclusion: Units activity pattern - slow-regular, fast-irregular or fast-regular were present in different proportions between the two targets.

Significance: The electrophysiological characteristics of the medial-anterior part of GPi and its latero-posterior portion can be used to assist DBS electrode targeting and also support the refinement of pathophysiological models of Tourette's syndrome and Dystonia.

Keywords: Deep brain stimulation; Dystonia; Globus pallidus; Tourette’s syndrome.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cohort Studies
  • Deep Brain Stimulation / methods
  • Dystonic Disorders / diagnostic imaging
  • Dystonic Disorders / physiopathology*
  • Electrodes, Implanted
  • Female
  • Globus Pallidus / diagnostic imaging
  • Globus Pallidus / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring / methods*
  • Male
  • Microelectrodes
  • Middle Aged
  • Tourette Syndrome / diagnostic imaging
  • Tourette Syndrome / physiopathology*
  • Young Adult