Neuronal activity of the red nucleus in Parkinson's disease.
Precise placement of the electrodes for stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) in Parkinson's disease (PD) is crucial for the therapeutic benefit. As a result of the mistargeting and misplacement of the electrodes during surgery in 2 patients with PD, we have characterized the neuronal firing in the red nucleus (RN) and observed the effects of stimulation of this nucleus. Although the neuronal firing (mean +/- SD) of the RN (34 +/- 4.4 Hz) resembles that described for the STN (33.1 +/- 16.6 Hz), a higher proportion of cells responded to the movement of the contralateral limbs (70-80%). Stimulation in the area of the RN-induced intolerable side effects without motor improvement. We conclude that the STN and RN have some similar neurophysiological features but can be distinguished intraoperatively. This initial description of the physiological characteristics of the RN in humans will draw attention to the possibility of confusing the RN and STN during intraoperative recording.
Rodriguez-Oroz
María C
MC
Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Clínica Universitaria and Medical School, Neuroscience Division, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain. mcroroz@unav.es
Rodriguez
Manolo
M
Leiva
Carlos
C
Rodriguez-Palmero
Miguel
M
Nieto
Juan
J
Garcia-Garcia
David
D
Luis Zubieta
Jose
J
Cardiel
Carlos
C
Obeso
Jose A
JA
D000200:Action Potentials; D046690:Deep Brain Stimulation; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012012:Red Nucleus / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome