Neurophysiological Correlates of Gait in the Human Basal Ganglia and the PPN Region in Parkinson's Disease

Modeling and Optimizing Deep Brain Stimulation to Enhance Gait in Parkinson's Disease: Personalized Treatment with Neurophysiological Insights

Although high-frequency deep brain stimulation (DBS) is effective at relieving many motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD), its effects on gait can be variable and unpredictable. This is due to 1) a lack of standardized and robust metrics for gait assessment in PD patients, 2) the challenges of performing a thorough evaluation of all the stimulation parameters space that can alter gait, and 3) a lack of understanding for impacts of stimulation on the neurophysiological signatures of walking. In this study, our goal was to develop a data-driven approach to identify optimal, personalized DBS stimulation parameters to improve gait in PD patients and identify the neurophysiological signature of improved gait. Local field potentials from the globus pallidus and electrocorticography from the motor cortex of three PD patients were recorded using an implanted bidirectional neural stimulator during overground walking. A walking performance index (WPI) was developed to assess gait metrics with high reliability. DBS frequency, amplitude, and pulse width on the "clinically-optimized" stimulation contact were then systemically changed to study their impacts on gait metrics and underlying neural dynamics. We developed a Gaussian Process Regressor (GPR) model to map the relationship between DBS settings and the WPI. Using this model, we identified and validated personalized DBS settings that significantly improved gait metrics. Linear mixed models were employed to identify neural spectral features associated with enhanced walking performance. We demonstrated that improved walking performance was linked to the modulation of neural activity in specific frequency bands, with reduced beta band power in the pallidum and increased alpha band pallidal-motor cortex coherence synchronization during key moments of the gait cycle. Integrating WPI and GPR to optimize DBS parameters underscores the importance of developing and understanding personalized, data-driven interventions for gait improvement in PD.

Vestibular Neurostimulation for Parkinson's Disease: A Novel Device-Aided Non-Invasive Therapeutic Option

Dopaminergic replacement therapy remains the mainstay of symptomatic treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD), but many unmet needs and gaps remain. Device-based treatments or device-aided non-oral therapies are typically used in the advanced stages of PD, ranging from stereotactic deep brain stimulation to levodopa or apomorphine infusion therapies. But there are concerns associated with these late-stage therapies due to a number of procedural, hardware, or long-term treatment-related side effects of these treatments, and their limited nonmotor benefit in PD. Therefore, there is an urgent unmet need for low-risk adjuvants or standalone therapies which can address the range of burdensome motor and nonmotor symptoms that occur in PD. Recent studies suggest that non-invasive neurostimulation of the vestibular system may be able to address these gaps through the stimulation of the vestibular brainstem sensory network which extensively innervates brain regions, regulating both motor and a range of nonmotor functions. Therapeutic non-invasive vestibular stimulation is a relatively modern concept that may potentially improve a broad range of motor and nonmotor symptoms of PD, even at early stages of the disease. Here, we review previous studies supporting the therapeutic potential of vestibular stimulation for the treatment of PD and discuss ongoing clinical trials and potential areas for future investigations.

Effect and Relationship of Gait on Subcortical Local Field Potentials in Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVES

Developments in deep brain stimulation (DBS) technology have enabled the ability to detect local field potentials (LFPs) in Parkinson disease (PD). Gait dysfunction is one of the most prevalent deficits seen in PD. However, no consensus has been reached on the effect of gait on LFPs and the relationship between LFPs and clinical measures of gait. The objective of this systematic review was to synthesize existing research regarding the relationship between gait dysfunction and LFPs in PD.

METHODS

A systematic search of the literature yielded a total of ten articles, including 132 patients with PD, which met the criteria for inclusion.

RESULTS

Beta frequency band measures showed low-to-strong correlation to clinical gait measures (r = -0.50 to 0.82). Two studies found decreased beta power during gait; one found increased beta frequency peaks during gait; and one found higher beta power during dual-task gait than during single-task gait. One of the three studies comparing patients with and without freezing found significantly increased beta burst duration and power during gait in freezers compared with nonfreezers. All studies showed moderate-to-high methodologic quality.

CONCLUSIONS

This review highlights the need to consider the effect of gait on LFP recordings, particularly when used to guide DBS programming. Although sample sizes were small, it appears LFPs are associated to and modulated by gait in patients with PD. This evidence suggests that LFPs have the potential to be used as a biomarker of gait dysfunction in PD.

Rhythmic auditory cueing in atypical parkinsonism: A pilot study

Rhythmic auditory cueing (RAC) can improve gait parameters in neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and stroke. However, there is a lack of research on the effects of RAC in patients with atypical parkinsonian disorders (APD). Using a smartphone metronome application, we aimed to investigate the immediate effects of RAC in patients with clinically diagnosed APD, namely Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP-Richardson Syndrome and other variants, PSP-nonRS), Corticobasal Syndrome (CBS), Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), and Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB). A total of 46 APD participants (25 PSP, 9 CBS, 8 MSA and 4 DLB; age: mean = 70.17, standard deviation = 7.15) walked at their preferred pace for 2 min without any rhythmic auditory cueing (RAC). Participants then walked the same path for another 2 min with RAC set at a tempo 10% faster than the baseline cadence of each participant. After a 10–15-min break, participants walked the same path for another 2 min without RAC to observe for carryover effects. Gait parameters [cadence (steps/minute), gait velocity (meters/minute), and stride length (centimeters)] were collected at baseline, during RAC, and post-RAC. There was a significant improvement in cadence in all participants from baseline to during RAC and post-RAC (corrected p-values = 0.009 for both). Gait velocity also improved from baseline to during RAC and post-RAC in all participants, although this improvement was not significant after correcting for multiple comparisons. The changes in cadence and gait velocity were most pronounced in PSP. In addition, our exploratory analysis showed that the cadence in the suspected TAU group (PSP+CBS) showed a significant improvement from baseline to during RAC and post-RAC (corr. p-value = 0.004 for both). This pilot study using short-term RAC in APD patients demonstrated improvements in cadence and velocity. There is an urgent need for effective gait rehabilitation modalities for patients with APD, and rhythmic cueing can be a practical and useful intervention to improve their gait pattern.

Freezing of gait in Parkinson’s disease is associated with the microstructural and functional changes of globus pallidus internus

Background

Freezing of gait (FOG) is a common motor symptom in advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the pathophysiology mechanism of FOG is not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate microstructural abnormalities in subcortical gray matter and alterations in functional connectivity of the nuclei with microstructural changes. In addition, the correlations between these microstructural and functional changes and the severity of FOG were measured.

Materials and methods

Twenty-four patients with FOG (PD-FOG), 22 PD patients without FOG (PD-nFOG), and 27 healthy controls (HC) were recruited. FOG Questionnaire (FOGQ) and Gait and Falling Questionnaire (GFQ) were assessed, and Timed Up and Go (TUG) tests were performed in PD-FOG patients. All subjects underwent diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and resting-state functional MRI scanning. The DTI measures, including fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), radial diffusivity (RD), and axial diffusivity (AD), were extracted and measured from basal ganglia, thalamus, and substantia nigra. The nuclei with microstructural alterations were selected as seed regions to perform the seed-based resting-state functional connectivity.

Results

The MD and RD values of the right globus pallidus internus (GPi) were significantly higher in patients with PD-FOG compared with PD-nFOG patients and HC. In PD-FOG patients, the MD and RD values of the right GPi were significantly correlated with the time of the TUG test in both ON and OFF states. The MD values were also correlated with the GFQ scores in PD-FOG patients. Resting-state functional connectivity between the right GPi and left middle occipital gyri decreased significantly in PD-FOG patients compared to PD-nFOG patients, and was negatively correlated with GFQ scores as well as the time of ON state TUG in PD-FOG patients.

Conclusion

Microstructural alterations in the right GPi and functional connectivity between the right GPi and visual cortex may be associated with the pathophysiological mechanisms of FOG in PD patients.

Troubleshooting Gait Disturbances in Parkinson's Disease With Deep Brain Stimulation

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus or the globus pallidus is an established treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD) that yields a marked and lasting improvement of motor symptoms. Yet, DBS benefit on gait disturbances in PD is still debated and can be a source of dissatisfaction and poor quality of life. Gait disturbances in PD encompass a variety of clinical manifestations and rely on different pathophysiological bases. While gait disturbances arising years after DBS surgery can be related to disease progression, early impairment of gait may be secondary to treatable causes and benefits from DBS reprogramming. In this review, we tackle the issue of gait disturbances in PD patients with DBS by discussing their neurophysiological basis, providing a detailed clinical characterization, and proposing a pragmatic programming approach to support their management.

Freezing of Gait in Multiple System Atrophy

Background and Purpose

Freezing of gait (FOG) is a common gait disturbance phenomenon in multiple system atrophy (MSA) patients. The current investigation assessed the incidence FOG in a cross-sectional clinical study, and clinical correlations associated with it.

Methods

Ninety-nine MSA patients from three hospitals in China were consecutively enrolled in the study. Eight patients were subsequently excluded from the analysis due to incomplete information. The prevalence of FOG symptoms in the MSA cohort was determined, and clinical manifestations in MSA patients with and without FOG were assessed.

Results

Of 91 MSA patients, 60 (65.93%) exhibited FOG. The incidence of FOG increased with disease duration and motor severity and was correlated with modified Hoehn and Yahr (H-Y) stages [odds ratio (OR), 0.54; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.33–3.92], longer disease duration (OR, 0.54, 95% CI, 0.37–0.78), higher Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale (UMSARS) score (OR, 0.96, 95% CI, 0.93–0.99), MSA-cerebellum subtype (OR, 2.99, 95% CI, 1.22–7.33), levodopa-equivalent dose (LDED) (OR, 0.998, 95% CI, 0.997–1.00), and higher Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) score (OR, 0.80, 95% CI, 0.72–0.89) (logistic regression). Motor dysfunction was significantly positively associated with lower quality of life scores (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

FOG is a common symptom in MSA patients and it is correlated with poor quality of life, disease progression and severity, levodopa-equivalent dose, and cerebellum impairment.

Diving into the Subcortex: The Potential of Chronic Subcortical Sensing for Unravelling Basal Ganglia Function and Optimization of Deep Brain STIMULATION

Subcortical structures are a relative neurophysiological 'terra incognita' owing to their location within the skull. While perioperative subcortical sensing has been performed for more than 20 years, the neurophysiology of the basal ganglia in the home setting has remained almost unexplored. However, with the recent advent of implantable pulse generators (IPG) that are able to record neural activity, the opportunity to chronically record local field potentials (LFPs) directly from electrodes implanted for deep brain stimulation opens up. This allows for a breakthrough of chronic subcortical sensing into fundamental research and clinical practice. In this review an extensive overview of the current state of subcortical sensing is provided. The widespread potential of chronic subcortical sensing for investigational and clinical use is discussed. Finally, status and future perspectives of the most promising application of chronic subcortical sensing -i.e., adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS)- are discussed in the context of movement disorders. The development of aDBS based on both chronic subcortical and cortical sensing has the potential to dramatically change clinical practice and the life of patients with movement disorders. However, several barriers still stand in the way of clinical implementation. Advancements regarding IPG and lead technology, physiomarkers, and aDBS algorithms as well as harnessing artificial intelligence, multimodality and sensing in the naturalistic setting are needed to bring aDBS to clinical practice.

Past, Present, and Future of Deep Brain Stimulation: Hardware, Software, Imaging, Physiology and Novel Approaches

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has advanced treatment options for a variety of neurologic and neuropsychiatric conditions. As the technology for DBS continues to progress, treatment efficacy will continue to improve and disease indications will expand. Hardware advances such as longer-lasting batteries will reduce the frequency of battery replacement and segmented leads will facilitate improvements in the effectiveness of stimulation and have the potential to minimize stimulation side effects. Targeting advances such as specialized imaging sequences and "connectomics" will facilitate improved accuracy for lead positioning and trajectory planning. Software advances such as closed-loop stimulation and remote programming will enable DBS to be a more personalized and accessible technology. The future of DBS continues to be promising and holds the potential to further improve quality of life. In this review we will address the past, present and future of DBS.

Why Should Constant Stimulation of Saccular Afferents Modify the Posture and Gait of Patients with Bilateral Vestibular Dysfunction? The Saccular Substitution Hypothesis

An ongoing EU Horizon 2020 Project called BionicVEST is investigating the effect of constant electrical stimulation (ES) of the inferior vestibular nerve in patients with bilateral vestibular dysfunction (BVD). The evidence is that constant ES results in improved postural stability and gait performance, and so the question of central importance concerns how constant ES of mainly saccular afferents in these BVD patients could cause this improved performance. We suggest that the constant ES substitutes for the absent saccular neural input to the vestibular nuclei and the cerebellum in these BVD patients and indirectly via these structures to other structures, which have been of great recent interest in motor control. One target area, the anterior midline cerebellum (the uvula), has recently been targeted as a location for deep-brain stimulation in human patients to improve postural stability and gait. There are projections from midline cerebellum to basal ganglia, including the striatum, which are structures involved in the initiation of gait. It may be that the effect of this activation of peripheral saccular afferent neurons is analogous to the effect of deep-brain stimulation (DBS) by electrodes in basal ganglia acting to help alleviate the symptoms of patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Rodent models for gait network disorders in Parkinson's disease - a translational perspective

Gait impairments in Parkinson's disease remain a scientific and therapeutic challenge. The advent of new deep brain stimulation (DBS) devices capable of recording brain activity from chronically implanted electrodes has fostered new studies of gait in freely moving patients. The hope is to identify gait-related neural biomarkers and improve therapy using closed-loop DBS. In this context, animal models offer the opportunity to investigate gait network activity at multiple biological scales and address unresolved questions from clinical research. Yet, the contribution of rodent models to the development of future neuromodulation therapies will rely on translational validity. In this review, we summarize the most effective strategies to model parkinsonian gait in rodents. We discuss how clinical observations have inspired targeted brain lesions in animal models, and whether resulting motor deficits and network oscillations match recent findings in humans. Gait impairments with hypo-, bradykinesia and altered limb rhythmicity were successfully modelled in rodents. However, clear evidence for the presence of freezing of gait was missing. The identification of reliable neural biomarkers for gait impairments has remained challenging in both animals and humans. Moving forward, we expect that the ongoing investigation of circuit specific neuromodulation strategies in animal models will lead to future optimizations of gait therapy in Parkinson's disease.

Rhythm and Music-Based Interventions in Motor Rehabilitation: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives

Research in basic and clinical neuroscience of music conducted over the past decades has begun to uncover music’s high potential as a tool for rehabilitation. Advances in our understanding of how music engages parallel brain networks underpinning sensory and motor processes, arousal, reward, and affective regulation, have laid a sound neuroscientific foundation for the development of theory-driven music interventions that have been systematically tested in clinical settings. Of particular significance in the context of motor rehabilitation is the notion that musical rhythms can entrain movement patterns in patients with movement-related disorders, serving as a continuous time reference that can help regulate movement timing and pace. To date, a significant number of clinical and experimental studies have tested the application of rhythm- and music-based interventions to improve motor functions following central nervous injury and/or degeneration. The goal of this review is to appraise the current state of knowledge on the effectiveness of music and rhythm to modulate movement spatiotemporal patterns and restore motor function. By organizing and providing a critical appraisal of a large body of research, we hope to provide a revised framework for future research on the effectiveness of rhythm- and music-based interventions to restore and (re)train motor function.

Future Therapeutic Strategies for Freezing of Gait in Parkinson's Disease

Freezing of gait (FOG) is a common and challenging clinical symptom in Parkinson’s disease. In this review, we summarise the recent insights into freezing of gait and highlight the strategies that should be considered to improve future treatment. There is a need to develop individualised and on-demand therapies, through improved detection and wearable technologies. Whilst there already exist a number of pharmacological (e.g., dopaminergic and beyond dopamine), non-pharmacological (physiotherapy and cueing, cognitive training, and non-invasive brain stimulation) and surgical approaches to freezing (i.e., dual-site deep brain stimulation, closed-loop programming), an integrated collaborative approach to future research in this complex area will be necessary to systematically investigate new therapeutic avenues. A review of the literature suggests standardising how gait freezing is measured, enriching patient cohorts for preventative studies, and harnessing the power of existing data, could help lead to more effective treatments for freezing of gait and offer relief to many patients.

Pedunculopontine and Cuneiform Nuclei Deep Brain Stimulation for Severe Gait and Balance Disorders in Parkinson's Disease: Interim Results from a Randomised Double-Blind Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

Dopa-resistant freezing of gait (FOG) and falls represent the dominant motor disabilities in advanced Parkinson's disease (PD).

OBJECTIVE

We investigate the effects of deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR), comprised of the pedunculopontine (PPN) and cuneiform (CuN) nuclei, for treating gait and balance disorders, in a randomized double-blind cross-over trial.

METHODS

Six PD patients with dopa-resistant FOG and/or falls were operated for MLR-DBS. Patients received three DBS conditions, PPN, CuN, or sham, in a randomized order for 2-months each, followed by an open-label phase. The primary outcome was the change in anteroposterior anticipatory-postural-adjustments (APAs) during gait initiation on a force platformResults:The anteroposterior APAs were not significantly different between the DBS conditions (median displacement [1st-3rd quartile] of 3.07 [3.12-4.62] cm with sham-DBS, 1.95 [2.29-3.85] cm with PPN-DBS and 2.78 [1.66-4.04] cm with CuN-DBS; p = 0.25). Step length and velocity were significantly higher with CuN-DBS vs. both sham-DBS and PPN-DBS. Conversely, step length and velocity were lower with PPN-DBS vs. sham-DBS, with greater double stance and gait initiation durations. One year after surgery, step length was significantly lower with PPN-DBS vs. inclusion. We did not find any significant change in clinical scales between DBS conditions or one year after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Two months of PPN-DBS or CuN-DBS does not effectively improve clinically dopa-resistant gait and balance disorders in PD patients.

Gait-Phase Modulates Alpha and Beta Oscillations in the Pedunculopontine Nucleus

The pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) is a reticular collection of neurons at the junction of the midbrain and pons, playing an important role in modulating posture and locomotion. Deep brain stimulation of the PPN has been proposed as an emerging treatment for patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) or multiple system atrophy (MSA) who have gait-related atypical parkinsonian syndromes. In this study, we investigated PPN activities during gait to better understand its functional role in locomotion. Specifically, we investigated whether PPN activity is rhythmically modulated by gait cycles during locomotion. PPN local field potential (LFP) activities were recorded from PD or MSA patients with gait difficulties during stepping in place or free walking. Simultaneous measurements from force plates or accelerometers were used to determine the phase within each gait cycle at each time point. Our results showed that activities in the alpha and beta frequency bands in the PPN LFPs were rhythmically modulated by the gait phase within gait cycles, with a higher modulation index when the stepping rhythm was more regular. Meanwhile, the PPN-cortical coherence was most prominent in the alpha band. Both gait phase-related modulation in the alpha/beta power and the PPN-cortical coherence in the alpha frequency band were spatially specific to the PPN and did not extend to surrounding regions. These results suggest that alternating PPN modulation may support gait control. Whether enhancing alternating PPN modulation by stimulating in an alternating fashion could positively affect gait control remains to be tested.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The therapeutic efficacy of pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) and the extent to which it can improve quality of life are still inconclusive. Understanding how PPN activity is modulated by stepping or walking may offer insight into how to improve the efficacy of PPN DBS in ameliorating gait difficulties. Our study shows that PPN alpha and beta activity was modulated by the gait phase, and that this was most pronounced when the stepping rhythm was regular. It remains to be tested whether enhancing alternating PPN modulation by stimulating in an alternating fashion could positively affect gait control.

Long-term wireless streaming of neural recordings for circuit discovery and adaptive stimulation in individuals with Parkinson's disease

Neural recordings using invasive devices in humans can elucidate the circuits underlying brain disorders, but have so far been limited to short recordings from externalized brain leads in a hospital setting or from implanted sensing devices that provide only intermittent, brief streaming of time series data. Here, we report the use of an implantable two-way neural interface for wireless, multichannel streaming of field potentials in five individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) for up to 15 months after implantation. Bilateral four-channel motor cortex and basal ganglia field potentials streamed at home for over 2,600 h were paired with behavioral data from wearable monitors for the neural decoding of states of inadequate or excessive movement. We validated individual-specific neurophysiological biomarkers during normal daily activities and used those patterns for adaptive deep brain stimulation (DBS). This technological approach may be widely applicable to brain disorders treatable by invasive neuromodulation.

Pedunculopontine tegmental Nucleus-evoked prepulse inhibition of the blink reflex in Parkinson's disease

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects on the blink reflex (BR) of single stimuli applied to the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPTg).

METHODS

The BR was evoked by stimulating the supraorbital nerve (SON) in fifteen patients suffering from idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) who had electrodes monolaterally or bilaterally implanted in the PPTg for deep brain stimulation (DBS). Single stimuli were delivered to the PPTg through externalized electrode connection wires 3-4 days following PPTg implantation.

RESULTS

PPTg stimuli increased the latency and reduced duration, amplitude and area of the R2 component of the BR in comparison to the response recorded in the absence of PPTg stimulation. These effects were independent of the side of SON stimulation and were stable for interstimulus interval (ISI) between PPTg prepulse and SON stimulus from 0 to 110 ms. The PPTg-induced prepulse inhibition of the BR was bilaterally present in the brainstem. The R1 component was unaffected.

CONCLUSIONS

The prepulse inhibition of the R2 component may be modulated by the PPTg.

SIGNIFICANCE

These findings suggest that abnormalities of BR occurring in PD may be ascribed to a reduction of basal ganglia-mediated inhibition of brainstem excitability.

Freezing of Gait in Parkinson's Disease: Invasive and Noninvasive Neuromodulation

INTRODUCTION

Freezing of gait (FoG) is one of the most disabling yet poorly understood symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). FoG is an episodic gait pattern characterized by the inability to step that occurs on initiation or turning while walking, particularly with perception of tight surroundings. This phenomenon impairs balance, increases falls, and reduces the quality of life.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical-anatomical correlations, electrophysiology, and functional imaging have generated several mechanistic hypotheses, ranging from the most distal (abnormal central pattern generators of the spinal cord) to the most proximal (frontal executive dysfunction). Here, we review the neuroanatomy and pathophysiology of gait initiation in the context of FoG, and we discuss targets of central nervous system neuromodulation and their outcomes so far. The PubMed database was searched using these key words: neuromodulation, freezing of gait, Parkinson's disease, and gait disorders.

CONCLUSION

Despite these investigations, the pathogenesis of this process remains poorly understood. The evidence presented in this review suggests FoG to be a heterogenous phenomenon without a single unifying pathologic target. Future studies rigorously assessing targets as well as multimodal approaches will be essential to define the next generation of therapeutic treatments.

MR Tractography-Based Targeting and Physiological Identification of the Cuneiform Nucleus for Directional DBS in a Parkinson's Disease Patient With Levodopa-Resistant Freezing of Gait

BACKGROUND

Freezing of gait (FOG) is a debilitating motor deficit in a subset of Parkinson's Disease (PD) patients that is poorly responsive to levodopa or deep brain stimulation (DBS) of established PD targets. The proposal of a DBS target in the midbrain, known as the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN), to address FOG was based on its observed neuropathology in PD and its hypothesized involvement in locomotor control as a part of the mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR). Initial reports of PPN DBS were met with enthusiasm; however, subsequent studies reported mixed results. A closer review of the MLR basic science literature, suggests that the closely related cuneiform nucleus (CnF), dorsal to the PPN, may be a superior site to promote gait. Although suspected to have a conserved role in the control of gait in humans, deliberate stimulation of a homolog to the CnF in humans using directional DBS electrodes has not been attempted.

METHODS

As part of an open-label Phase 1 clinical study, one PD patient with predominantly axial symptoms and severe FOG refractory to levodopa therapy was implanted with directional DBS electrodes (Boston Science Vercise CartesiaTM) targeting the CnF bilaterally. Since the CnF is a poorly defined reticular nucleus, targeting was guided both by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tractography and anatomical landmarks. Intraoperative stimulation and microelectrode recordings were performed near the targets with leg EMG surface recordings in the subject.

RESULTS

Post-operative imaging revealed accurate targeting of both leads to the designated CnF. Intraoperative stimulation near the target at low thresholds in the awake patient evoked involuntary electromyography (EMG) oscillations in the legs with a peak power at the stimulation frequency, similar to observations with CnF DBS in animals. Oscillopsia was the primary side effect evoked at higher currents, especially when directed posterolaterally. Directional DBS could mitigate oscillopsia.

CONCLUSION

DTI-based targeting and intraoperative stimulation to evoke limb EMG activity may be useful methods to help target the CnF accurately and safely in patients. Long term follow-up and detailed gait testing of patients undergoing CnF stimulation will be necessary to confirm the effects on FOG.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT04218526.

Closed-Loop Deep Brain Stimulation to Treat Medication-Refractory Freezing of Gait in Parkinson's Disease

Background: Treating medication-refractory freezing of gait (FoG) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) remains challenging despite several trials reporting improvements in motor symptoms using subthalamic nucleus or globus pallidus internus (GPi) deep brain stimulation (DBS). Pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) region DBS has been used for medication-refractory FoG, with mixed findings. FoG, as a paroxysmal phenomenon, provides an ideal framework for the possibility of closed-loop DBS (CL-DBS).

Methods: In this clinical trial (NCT02318927), five subjects with medication-refractory FoG underwent bilateral GPi DBS implantation to address levodopa-responsive PD symptoms with open-loop stimulation. Additionally, PPN DBS leads were implanted for CL-DBS to treat FoG. The primary outcome of the study was a 40% improvement in medication-refractory FoG in 60% of subjects at 6 months when “on” PPN CL-DBS. Secondary outcomes included device feasibility to gauge the recruitment potential of this four-lead DBS approach for a potentially larger clinical trial. Safety was judged based on adverse events and explantation rate.

Findings: The feasibility of this approach was demonstrated as we recruited five subjects with both “on” and “off” medication freezing. The safety for this population of patients receiving four DBS leads was suboptimal and associated with a high explantation rate of 40%. The primary clinical outcome in three of the five subjects was achieved at 6 months. However, the group analysis of the primary clinical outcome did not reveal any benefit.

Interpretation: This study of a human PPN CL-DBS trial in medication-refractory FoG showed feasibility in recruitment, suboptimal safety, and a heterogeneous clinical effect in FoG outcomes.