Bereitschaftspotential augmentation by neuro-feedback training in Parkinson’s disease

ObjectiveDecreased early Bereitschaftspotential (BP) is one of the electrophysiological characteristics in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). We examined whether PD patients could increase BP amplitude by means of neuro-feedback (NFB) training for their slow cortical potentials (SCPs).MethodsWe worked with 10 PD patients and 11 age-matched controls. BP was measured for self-paced button pressing by their right thumb. The subjects were instructed to make the introspective efforts to produce negative SCPs (negativation). The one-day session consisted of three trials, that is, the first BP, NFB training and the second BP, and each patient performed this routine for 2–4 days. Amplitudes of the first and second BPs were compared between the two groups that were divided depending on NFB performance.ResultsGood NFB performance had the tendency of larger early BP in the second BP recording than in the first one, whereas in the poor NFB performance the early BP was smaller in the second BP recording than in the first one in both patient and normal groups (p < 0.001).ConclusionsGood NFB performance of negativation could increase excitatory field potentials of pyramidal cells for the generation of early BP.SignificanceVoluntary regulation of SCPs could enhance BP in PD patients and in aged controls.

► This study showed that Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients could restore decreased early component of Bereitschaftspotential (BP) by means of neuro-feedback (NFB) to control negative slow cortical potentials (SCPs). ► It is the first study to demonstrate that decreased pre-movement cortical activity can be restored by endogenous, subject’s own effort, without externally driven modulatory stimuli or medication. ► Good NFB performance of negative SCPs shifts (negativation) most likely increases excitatory field potentials of pyramidal cells in the supplementary motor area.