Revealing Connectivity Patterns of Deep Brain Stimulation Efficacy in Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract

The aim of this work was to study the effect of deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS) on the subnetwork of subcortical and cortical motor regions using the functional connectivity analysis in Parkinson’s disease (PD). The high-density source space EEG was acquired and analyzed in 43 PD subjects in DBS on and DBS off stimulation states (off medication) during a cognitive-motor task. Increased connectivity within subcortical regions and between subcortical and cortical motor regions in the high gamma band (50-100Hz) was significantly associated with the Movement Disorders Society – Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) III improvement. Further, the whole brain connectivity patterns were evaluated to complement this finding. The connectivity patterns in low gamma (30-50Hz) and high gamma band (50-100Hz) significantly correlated with the movement improvement. Neural correlates of cognitive performance were detected in the beta (12-30Hz) and high gamma (50-100Hz) bands. Finally, a whole brain multifrequency connectivity profile was found to classify optimal and suboptimal responders to DBS with a positive predictive value of 0.77, negative predictive value of 0.55, specificity of 0.73, and sensitivity of 0.60. Specific connectivity patterns related to motor symptoms improvement after DBS and therapy responsiveness predictive connectivity profiles were uncovered.