Beta activity in the subthalamic nucleus during sleep in patients with Parkinson's disease

Jan 30, 2009 | Magazine: Movement Disorders

Elena Urrestarazu (1), Jorge Iriarte (1), Manuel Alegre (1), Pedro Clavero, MD (1), Mari Cruz Rodríguez-Oroz (1,2), Jorge Guridi(1,2), José A. Obeso(1,2), Julio Artieda (1)

The recordings of local field potentials in the subthalamic nucleus in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), carried out through the stimulators implanted to treat the motor symptoms of the disease, show a prominent basal (off) activity in the beta range, which is attenuated after dopaminergic therapy.

A recent study described improvement of parkinsonian features during rapid eyes movements (REM) sleep. We describe, for the first time, the changes in activity of the subthlamic nucleus (STN) during different sleep stages in Parkinson's disease with special interest in the beta band. Ten patients with PD treated with deep brain stimulation of the STN were studied. Subthalamic local field potentials (LFPs) were recorded through the stimulation electrodes during wakefulness (off medication) and different sleep stages. In Stage 2 and slow-wave sleep, a significant decrease of beta activity was recorded. During REM sleep, beta power values were similar to wakefulness values or even higher.

These findings indicate that STN activity is modulated and modified during different sleep stages. The increased beta activity during REM sleep is a new but unexpected finding, which requires further analysis.

CITATION Mov Disord. 2009 Jan 30;24(2):254-60.
doi: 10.1002/mds.22351

see publication in pubmed