Intraoperative microrecordings of the subthalamic nucleus in Parkinson’s disease
Mov Disord.. 2002-03-01; 17(S3): S145-S149
DOI: 10.1002/mds.10156
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1. Mov Disord. 2002;17 Suppl 3:S145-9. doi: 10.1002/mds.10156.
Intraoperative microrecordings of the subthalamic nucleus in Parkinson’s
disease.
Benazzouz A(1), Breit S, Koudsie A, Pollak P, Krack P, Benabid AL.
Author information:
(1)Department of Clinical and Biological Neurosciences, Institut National de la
Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U.318, University Hospital A. Michallon,
Pavillon B, Grenoble, France.
Microelectrode recordings of single unit neuronal activity were used during
stereotactic surgery to define the subthalamic nucleus for chronic deep brain
stimulation in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. By using five parallel
trajectories, often two to three microelectrodes allow us to recognize
subthalamic nucleus (STN) neuronal activity. STN neurons were easily
distinguished from cells of the overlying zona incerta and the underlying
substantia nigra. During a typical exploratory track, we can observe a very low
background noise in the zona incerta and almost complete absence of single cell
recording. Penetration of the electrode tip into the STN is characterized by a
sudden increase in background activity and single cell activity of spontaneously
active neurons. The exit of electrode tip out of the STN corresponds to a
decrease in background noise and a loss of single cell activity. Spontaneous
neuronal activity increases again when the electrode tips enters the substantia
nigra pars reticulata (SNr); however, the activity is less rich than in the STN,
indicating a more cell-sparse nucleus. STN neurons are characterized by a mean
firing rate of 42.30 +/- 22.00 spikes/sec (mean +/- SD). The STN cells exhibited
irregular or bursty discharge pattern. The pattern of single cell activity in
the SNr is a more regular tonic activity that can easily be distinguished from
the bursting pattern in the STN. The most useful criteria to select a trajectory
are (1) the length of an individual trajectory displaying typical STN activity,
(2) the bursting pattern of activity, and (3) motor responses typical of the
sensorimotor part of the nucleus. In conclusion, microelectrode recording of the
subthalamic area improves the accuracy of targeting the STN.
Copyright 2002 Movement Disorder Society
DOI: 10.1002/mds.10156
PMID: 11948769 [Indexed for MEDLINE]