Complex motor-cognitive factors processed in the anterior nucleus of the thalamus: an intracerebral recording study.
Cognitive adverse effects were reported after the deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the anterior nucleus of the thalamus (AN) in epilepsy. As the AN may have an influence on widespread neocortical networks, we hypothesized that the AN, in addition to its participation in memory processing, may also participate in cognitive activities linked with the frontal neocortical structures. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the AN might participate in complex motor-cognitive activities. Three pharmacoresistant epilepsy patients implanted with AN-DBS electrodes performed two tasks involving the writing of single letters: (1) copying letters from a monitor; and (2) writing of any letter other than that appearing on the monitor. The cognitive load of the second task was increased. The task-related oscillatory changes and evoked potentials were assessed. Local event-related alpha and beta desynchronization were more expressed during the second task while the lower gamma synchronization decreased. The local field event-related potentials were elicited by the two tasks without any specific differences. The AN participates in cognitive networks processing complex motor-cognitive tasks. Attention should be paid to executive functions in subjects undergoing AN-DBS.
First Department of Neurology, Masaryk University, St. Anne's University Hospital, Pekařská 53, 656 91, Brno, Czech Republic.
Martina
M
Bočková
Jan
J
Chládek
Pavel
P
Jurák
Josef
J
Halámek
Klára
K
Štillová
Marek
M
Baláž
Jan
J
Chrastina
Ivan
I
Rektor
D000328:Adult; D000513:Alpha Rhythm; D020643:Anterior Thalamic Nuclei / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001611:Beta Rhythm; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D046690:Deep Brain Stimulation; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D005071:Evoked Potentials; D005260:Female; D065818:Gamma Rhythm; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology; D014956:Writing