High frequency oscillations in the subthalamic nucleus: A neurophysiological marker of the motor state in Parkinson's disease

Increasing evidence suggests that abnormal oscillatory activity in basal ganglia and cortex plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease. Recordings of local field potentials from subthalamic nucleus of patients undergoing deep brain stimulation have focused on oscillations occurring at frequencies below 100 Hz in the alpha, beta and gamma range and suggested that, in particular, an increase of beta band oscillations underlies slowing of movement in Parkinson's disease. Recent findings showing that the amplitude of high frequency oscillations (> 200 Hz) couples with the phase of beta activity have raised the important question about the role of subthalamic high frequency oscillations in Parkinson's disease. To investigate functional characteristics and clinical relevance of high frequency oscillations, we recorded local field potentials from 18 subthalamic nuclei of 9 akinetic-rigid Parkinsonian patients with implanted deep brain stimulation electrodes and still externalised leads before and after intake of levodopa. We identified two distinct bands of high frequency oscillations, one centred around 250 Hz and another one around 350 Hz that show characteristic levodopa dependent amplitude and coupling behaviours. Administration of levodopa changed the power ratio between the two high frequency bands towards the component centred around 350 Hz in all 18 nuclei under study (p < 10− 4). Moreover, this power ratio correlated significantly with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale hemibody akinesia/rigidity subscore (r = 0.3618, p = 0.015), but interestingly not with beta peak power (p = 0.1) suggesting that levodopa induced changes in high frequency and beta oscillations are at least potentially independent of each other. Accordingly, a combined parameter composed of power ratio of high frequency oscillations and beta peak power significantly increased the correlation with the motor state (r = 0.45, p = 0.004). These results indicate that a shift from slower to faster frequencies of the spectrum greater than 200 Hz represents a prokinetic neurophysiological marker underlying levodopa induced motor improvement in Parkinson's disease.

Research highlights
► We recorded from subthalamic nuclei of Parkinsonian patients with implanted DBS electrodes.
► Two distinct bands of slow and fast high frequency oscillations are identified.
► Power ratio of high frequency bands is strictly related to levodopa state.
► High frequency and beta oscillations are complementary when correlated to motor score.