Low beta-band suppression as a tool for DBS contact selection for akinetic-rigid symptoms in Parkinson's disease

Abstract

BackgroundSuppression of pathologically altered activity in the beta-band has previously been suggested as a biomarker for feedback-based neurostimulation in subthalamic deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) for Parkinson's Disease (PD). ObjectiveTo assess the utility of beta-band suppression as a tool for contact selection in STN-DBS for PD. MethodsA sample of seven PD patients (13 hemispheres) with newly implanted directional DBS leads of the STN were recorded during a standardized monopolar contact review (MPR). Recordings were received from contact pairs adjacent to the stimulation contact. The degree of beta-band suppression for each investigated contact was then correlated to the respective clinical results. Additionally, we have implemented a cumulative ROC analysis, to test the predictive value of beta-band suppression on the clinical efficacy of the respective contacts. ResultsStimulation ramping led to frequency-specific changes in the beta-band, while lower frequencies remained unaffected. Most importantly, our results showed that the degree of low beta-band suppression from baseline activity (stimulation off) served as a predictor for clinical efficacy of the respective stimulation contact. In contrast suppression of high beta-band activity yielded no predictive power. ConclusionThe degree of low beta-band suppression can serve as a time-saving, objective tool for contact selection in STN-DBS.