Spontaneous sleep modulates the firing pattern of parkinsonian subthalamic nucleus.
In Parkinson's disease, the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is a common target for functional neurosurgery. Recent investigations have suggested that physiological non-motor stimuli may dramatically alter STN firing properties. By maintaining long-lasting micro-recordings of STN single units in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, here we show that the neurons that are responsive to passive movements are also strongly modulated by altered vigilance state (awake vs. sleep). In addition, sleep was characterized by a distinctive irregular train-like firing pattern. These findings suggest that the reduction of the somato-sensory input modifies rigidity and, hence, STN discharge mode. Further, it is suggested that specific STN electrophysiological features are potential targets for future therapeutic interventions.
Stefani
Alessandro
A
CERC-IRCCS Fondazione S. Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306, Roma, Italy. stefani@uniroma2.it
Galati
Salvatore
S
Peppe
Antonella
A
Bassi
Andrea
A
Pierantozzi
Mariangela
M
Hainsworth
Atticus H
AH
Bernardi
Giorgio
G
Orlacchio
Antonio
A
Stanzione
Paolo
P
Mazzone
Paolo
P
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D020531:Subthalamic Nucleus / Q000503:physiopathology*