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A study on rats investigated the effects of acute cortical stroke (ACS) on neural activity in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and its correlation with motor disability. The research found that ACS led to decreased STN firing rate and changes in delta and gamma power, which correlated with motor disability. The study suggests that post-stroke STN inhibition may help compensate for ACS, but could also have negative consequences. These findings may offer insights into developing neuromodulation strategies to address post-stroke motor disability by modulating abnormal STN activity. [Extracted from the article]

Research from Boston University has shed light on the role of GABA/glutamate cotransmitting neurons in the entopeduncular nucleus of the central nervous system. These neurons play a role in action selection and evaluation, but their specific function in behavior remains unclear. The study found that these neurons are active during a probabilistic switching task and exhibit bidirectional changes in activity during different phases of a trial. However, blocking cotransmission or altering the GABA/glutamate ratio did not impact behavior, suggesting that their outputs may not be necessary for certain tasks. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted at the University of Alabama at Birmingham compared the effects of directional deep brain stimulation (DBS) versus circular DBS on motor performance in patients with Parkinson's disease. The research found that directional DBS led to greater motor improvements compared to ring stimulation, with enhanced precision and control of current spread. The study suggests that optimized directional subthalamic nucleus DBS may offer better group-level motor performance and tolerability benefits, warranting further investigation into its long-term effects. The findings were published in the Journal of Parkinson's Disease and funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders And Stroke and the Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson's Research. [Extracted from the article]

A patent has been issued for a system and method developed by inventors from the University of Houston to locate implantation sites in the brain more accurately. The method involves inserting multi-contact electrodes into the brain, applying High Frequency Stimulation (HFS), measuring High Frequency Oscillations (HFO) and Evoked Compound Activity (ECA), and identifying optimal implantation sites based on predetermined thresholds. This system aims to improve the accuracy and efficiency of electrode placement for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), particularly targeting the Subthalamic Nucleus (STN) in individuals with conditions like Parkinson's Disease. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses a clinical trial comparing the efficacy, programming burden, power consumption, and satisfaction of deep brain stimulation in patients with Parkinson's disease using constant current versus constant voltage modes. The trial aims to assess these factors one year after surgery and involves approximately 180 participants from multiple sites. The study is interventional, randomized, and aims to provide valuable insights into the treatment of Parkinson's disease through deep brain stimulation. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted by Northwestern University researchers focused on the cognitive aspects of motor control in individuals with Parkinson's disease following subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation surgery. The study found that saccade latency and reach reaction time significantly increased post-surgery while participants were off treatment. The research suggests that long-term tissue changes and withdrawal from STN-DBS may contribute to these detrimental cognitive effects. The study highlights the need for further investigation into the impact of surgery on cognitive function in Parkinson's disease patients. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses a study on the subthalamic nucleus (STN) in the human brain and its involvement in inhibitory control during decision-making processes. The research found that STN neurons in patients with Parkinson's disease responded to go and stop signals, with some showing differential responses in successful and unsuccessful attempts at response cancelling. The study suggests that increased engagement of STN neurons with local delta band activity during stimulus processing may impair the ability to cancel ongoing responses, potentially due to disease-related changes in STN neuronal bursting. This research provides insights into the neuronal mechanisms underlying inhibitory control processes involving the STN and cortical delta band activity. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers at the Program in Neuroscience conducted a meta-analysis comparing the long-term efficacy of deep brain stimulation (DBS) targeting the subthalamic nucleus (STN) versus the globus pallidus interna (GPi) for treating motor dysfunction in patients with Parkinson's disease. The study found that STN stimulation is effective at reducing motor symptoms during off-medication treatment for up to 15 years, while GPi stimulation can be effective for at least 8 years. The research suggests that both STN- and GPi-targeted DBS have long-term efficacy, especially during off-medication periods, but may wear off during the on-medication phase between 5 and 10 years of treatment. [Extracted from the article]

The article explores the characteristics and coupling of bursts within the sensorimotor cortical-subthalamic nucleus circuit in Parkinson's disease. It analyzes recordings from 5 PD patients and finds that cortical beta bursts tend to precede STN beta bursts with short delays. The study suggests that subcortical mechanisms may also contribute to STN burst initiation and propagation. This preprint has not been peer-reviewed and provides valuable insights into the neural activity patterns in Parkinson's disease. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted at Sichuan University in the People's Republic of China focused on the long-term outcomes of subthalamic deep brain stimulation for generalized isolated dystonia. The research involved 16 patients with dystonia who underwent a two-phase procedure for stimulation system implantation, resulting in significant improvements in dystonia severity and motor symptoms. Factors such as early stimulation responses, lower baseline movement scores, and female sex were correlated with better long-term outcomes. The study concluded that patients with less severe motor symptoms may benefit more from this treatment. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study explored the impact of deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) on strabismus in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. The study found that STN DBS improved strabismus in 75% of cases, particularly when stimulating the dorsal STN region. However, in 25% of PD patients, STN DBS exacerbated strabismus when targeting the ventral aspect of the STN. This research provides valuable insights into the potential benefits and complexities of using DBS to address visual impairments in PD patients. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers from Universidade de Marilia in Brazil have conducted a study on circadian rhythm signaling peptides and proteins in the Sapajus apella primate. The study focused on the expression of clock proteins in the substantia nigra and subthalamic nucleus, revealing the presence of Per1, Per2, and Cry1 proteins in these areas. The research suggests that these proteins play a role in regulating circadian rhythms associated with motor behavior in primates. The study provides valuable insights into the functions of clock genes in different species beyond nocturnal rodents. [Extracted from the article]

A clinical trial, NCT06685510, is being conducted to investigate the relationship between electrode implantation location and the prediction of Microlesion Effect (MLE) efficacy produced by Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation (STN-DBS) surgery in Parkinson's Disease (PD) patients. The study aims to assess the correlation between electrode implantation location and DBS efficacy, analyze the role of brain networks, and provide more effective efficacy prediction for DBS treatment in PD patients. The trial involves primary PD patients aged 18-75 who meet STN-DBS surgery criteria and aims to guide clinical practice and future research in related fields. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at Vanderbilt University Medical Center explored the impact of deep brain stimulation (DBS) on cognitive function in patients with Parkinson's disease. The research found that superior active electrode contacts in the left subthalamic nucleus were associated with verbal memory decline post-DBS. This study sheds light on factors influencing cognitive changes following DBS and may aid in optimizing postoperative treatment. For more information, the full article can be accessed through Neurosurgery, published by Ovid Technologies. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers at Eskisehir Osmangazi University conducted a study on the effects of different frequencies of subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) on postural control in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). The study found that low-frequency settings (60 Hz) may benefit those who heavily rely on visual cues for postural control. The researchers suggest that tailoring the DBS frequency setting could optimize postural stability and reduce fall risk in PD patients, calling for further research to explore these mechanisms. The study was published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine and can be accessed for free online. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the role of GABA/glutamate cotransmitting neurons in the entopeduncular nucleus (EP) in guiding action selection and evaluation in the basal ganglia. Through a probabilistic switching task, researchers found that these neurons exhibit bidirectional changes in activity during choice and outcome periods. However, blocking cotransmission or modifying the GABA/glutamate ratio did not produce detectable changes in behavior, indicating that the outputs of these neurons may not be necessary for ongoing action-outcome updating. This preprint has not yet undergone peer review and provides valuable insights into the behavior of these neurons in the brain. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the prediction of pathological subthalamic nucleus beta burst occurrence in Parkinson's disease. Researchers have used deep learning to accurately predict the timing of these bursts up to 60 ms before onset, offering potential for proactive stimulation to improve therapeutic efficacy. The study highlights a dip in beta amplitude as a predictive biomarker for burst occurrence, shedding light on burst initiation mechanisms in Parkinson's disease. This preprint has not yet undergone peer review, and more information can be found on biorxiv.org. [Extracted from the article]

The article explores the role of the entopeduncular nucleus (EPN) in the basal ganglia of rodents, focusing on how it codes for kinematic, reward, and difficulty parameters during locomotion. Through electrophysiological recordings and video-based tracking, the study found that EPN activity represents movements and reward in a complex manner, with intertwining representations of whole-body movement kinematics and single paw and licking variables. The research challenges the notion of distinct pathways for reward and movement processing, suggesting a highly multiplexed representation influenced by the objective of the displacement. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at the Chinese University of Hong Kong focused on deep brain stimulation (DBS) for patients with Parkinson's disease. The research aimed to predict the pyramidal tract side effect (PTSE) threshold during DBS surgery under general anesthesia (GA) using electromyography (EMG). The study found that testing the PTSE threshold through EMG during surgery can guide the placement of DBS leads and improve clinical outcomes for patients with Parkinson's disease. This research provides valuable insights into optimizing DBS procedures for Parkinson's patients. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses a clinical trial, NCT06642519, focusing on using a brain-machine interface to treat freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease patients. The trial aims to identify gait biomarkers and use cortical stimulation to stop freezing of gait by recording brain activity during real-world gait and freezing episodes. The study involves high-density electrocorticography-based brain-machine interfaces to understand the brain's role in freezing of gait and develop new treatments based on cortical stimulation. [Extracted from the article]

A patent application titled "Automatic Determination Of Stimulation Amplitude" by inventor Juarez Paz, Leon Mauricio, focuses on improving neurostimulation therapy for neurological disorders. The application describes a method and device for customizing stimulation parameters based on anatomical information and previous sessions to optimize treatment. By reducing the parameter search space, the technology aims to streamline the process for physicians and improve patient outcomes. The patent application highlights advancements in medical devices and neurostimulation technology, emphasizing the potential benefits for patients with central nervous system conditions. [Extracted from the article]

Duke University is conducting a clinical trial to investigate the use of connectomic imaging models for deep brain stimulation (DBS) in Parkinson's disease patients. The trial aims to improve tremor control and minimize side effects by stimulating specific axonal pathways. Data on tremor duration, severity, dyskinesia duration, and severity will be collected using wearable technology. The researchers hope to simplify the DBS programming process, enhance clinical outcomes, and reduce the number of optimization visits. The study is led by Dr. Kyle Mitchell and is expected to be completed by June 29, 2025. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh explores the role of the basal ganglia in speech production. The study focused on the firing rate of subthalamic nucleus (STN) neurons in individuals with Parkinson's disease who were undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrode implantation. The findings suggest that STN neurons encode both the sequence and phonetic characteristics of speech, indicating separate representations of speech sequencing and phoneme selection in the basal ganglia. This research provides valuable insights into the complex nature of speech production and its neural mechanisms. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania has shed new light on the role of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) in decision-making processes in monkeys. The STN, a part of the central nervous system, is known to play a critical role in motor and cognitive function, but its exact contributions to decision-making have not been fully understood. Through single-unit recording and electrical microstimulation in healthy monkeys, the researchers identified distinct patterns of activity in STN neurons that related to different functions predicted by theory. The study found that the STN contributes to decision-making by modulating decision bounds, evidence accumulation, and non-perceptual processes. These findings provide valuable insights into the multiple ways in which the STN supports higher brain function. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers at Huazhong University have published a new study on brain ischemia, specifically focusing on the susceptibility of brain regions to neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). The study used Amide Proton Transfer (APT) imaging and Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) analysis to identify brain regions affected by HIE in neonates. The results showed that APTw and ADC values were effective in detecting HIE, with APTw being more sensitive. The right anterior temporal lobe was found to be particularly affected by HIE, with significant changes in APTw and ADC values and a positive correlation between them. This suggests that temporal lobe damage may be critical in the long-term neurological consequences of HIE. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted by researchers at Capital Medical University in Beijing, China, examined the therapeutic efficacy of deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) for Meige syndrome, a rare form of craniofacial dystonia. The study included 51 patients who received bilateral STN-DBS, and the results showed significant improvements in motor symptoms, mood, cognitive function, and quality of life. The study also identified disease duration, preoperative anxiety severity, and volume of activated tissue within the STN as predictors of motor outcome. The researchers concluded that STN-DBS is an effective treatment for both motor and nonmotor symptoms of Meige syndrome, emphasizing the importance of timely diagnosis, treatment of preoperative anxiety, and precise electrode placement for optimal outcomes. [Extracted from the article]

A patent has been issued for a medical device developed by Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation. The device is an implantable pulse generator (IPG) used in deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy for neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease. The IPG includes electrode nodes that stimulate neural tissue and control circuitry that records and analyzes electrical signals to determine if they contain a neural response of interest. If a response is detected, the device adjusts the stimulation parameters accordingly. The device aims to improve the effectiveness of DBS therapy by optimizing lead placement and stimulation parameters based on patient feedback and changes in medication needs. [Extracted from the article]

A preprint abstract from biorxiv.org discusses a study on the use of evoked resonant neural activity (ERNA) as a biomarker for adjusting deep brain stimulation during sleep for Parkinson's disease patients. The study recorded local field potentials from the subthalamic nucleus of four patients and found that ERNA features change with wakefulness and sleep stages, and are correlated with frequency bands and heart rate. Machine learning models using ERNA features outperformed spectral markers in classifying non-REM sleep versus wakefulness. The study suggests that ERNA could be used as a marker for automatic stimulation titration during sleep, potentially improving patient care. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted at Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences in Telangana, India, examined the effects of deep brain stimulation (DBS) on patients with advanced Parkinson's disease. The researchers analyzed the final electrode position in three-dimensional space and its impact on motor outcomes. They found that accurate electrode placement was associated with maximum clinical benefit and improvement in dysgraphia. The study concluded that DBS can significantly improve functional outcomes, particularly in patients under the age of 65. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted by researchers at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, compared the efficacy and complications of deep brain stimulation (DBS) techniques for Parkinson's disease and essential tremor. The study found that asleep, image-guided DBS had comparable clinical efficacy to awake, microelectrode recording (MER) guidance, but had higher stimulation thresholds for side effects and a lower rate of postoperative transient confusion (pTC). This suggests that image-guided DBS may have fewer long-term side effects and a decreased risk of pTC. The study was published in Operative Neurosurgery. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at Autonomous University Barcelona examined the impact of stimulation frequency on verbal fluency in patients with Parkinson's disease who underwent deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the subthalamic nucleus (STN). The study included 38 patients with Parkinson's disease who received either low frequency STN-DBS (LFS) or high frequency STN-DBS (HFS), as well as a control group of non-operated patients. The results showed that HFS negatively affected letter, semantic, and action fluencies, while LFS had no effect on verbal fluency. However, the decline in verbal fluency following STN-DBS was not solely caused by stimulation frequency. This research provides valuable insights into the effects of DBS on verbal fluency in Parkinson's disease patients. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers from the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University have published a new report on Parkinson's disease, specifically focusing on the treatment of autonomic nerve dysfunction. Autonomic nerve dysfunction is a common non-motor symptom of Parkinson's disease and can significantly impact the quality of life for patients. The researchers reviewed the efficacy of subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) in treating autonomic nerve dysfunction in Parkinson's disease patients. They concluded that more attention should be given to these symptoms and that a comprehensive treatment plan should be developed, including preoperative evaluation and individualized treatment. [Extracted from the article]

A recent meta-analysis conducted by researchers at State University in Teresina, Brazil compared the outcomes of deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery for Parkinson's disease patients under general anesthesia (GA) versus local anesthesia coupled with sedation (LA + S). The study found that at a 6-month follow-up, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of motor improvement, complications, behavioral and mood effects, or daily levodopa equivalent dose. The researchers concluded that GA is not inferior to LA + S in terms of short-term benefits, but further studies are needed to determine long-term clinical differences. [Extracted from the article]

A recent report from the Department of Biomedical Engineering discusses the use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for managing motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD). The researchers used optogenetic functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to analyze the effects of DBS on the brain activity of female hemi-parkinsonian rats. They found that DBS at different stimulation pulse repetition rates led to alterations in blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) signals in specific brain regions, including the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr), globus pallidus (GP), and caudate putamen (CPu). The study suggests that the activation of GP and CPu plays a critical role in the therapeutic mechanisms of DBS. [Extracted from the article]

A recent report from the University of Florida discusses the risk factors for postoperative urinary retention (POUR) after deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and essential tremor (ET). The study analyzed data from 350 patients who underwent DBS surgery between 2010 and 2021. The findings revealed that a history of urinary retention, male sex, first-time electrode placement or connection, longer anesthesia time, pre-operative opioid use, and higher Charlson Comorbidity Index were significant risk factors for POUR. However, having an electrode in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) was found to be protective against POUR. The study suggests that targeting the STN during DBS surgery may reduce the risk of POUR in PD and ET patients. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at the University Medical Center Ljubljana in Slovenia explored the effects of dopaminergic medication and deep brain stimulation on impulsivity in Parkinson's disease patients. The study found that the combination of these treatments increased motor impulsivity, both proactive and reactive, but had no effect on reflection and cognitive impulsivity. The research suggests that dopaminergic medication and deep brain stimulation may have different effects on different domains of impulsivity in Parkinson's disease. Further research is needed to fully understand these findings. [Extracted from the article]