Microscale electrophysiological functional connectivity in human cortico-basal ganglia network

Ashley C. Guest, Kevin J. O'Neill, Dakota Graham, Zaman Mirzadeh, Francisco A. Ponce, Bradley Greger

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective: We investigated the electrophysiological relationships in the cortico-basal ganglia network on a sub-centimeter scale to increase our understanding of neural functional relationships in Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods: Data was intraoperatively recorded from 2 sources in the human brain—a microelectrode in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and a micro-electrocorticography grid on the motor association cortex—during bilateral deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrode placement. STN neurons and local field potential (LFP) were defined as functionally connected when the 99.7% confidence intervals of the action potential (AP)-aligned average LFP and control did not overlap. Results: APs from STN neurons were functionally connected to the STN LFP for 18/46 STN neurons. This functional connection was observed between STN neuron APs and cortical LFP for 25/46 STN neurons. The cortical patterns of electrophysiological functional connectivity differed for each neuron. Conclusions: A subset of single neurons in the STN exhibited functional connectivity with electrophysiological activity in the STN and at a distance with the motor association cortex surveyed on a sub-centimeter spatial scale. These connections show a per neuron differential topography on the cortex. Significance: The cortico-basal ganglia circuit is organized on a sub-centimeter scale, and plays an important role in the mechanisms of PD and DBS.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)11-19
Number of pages9
JournalClinical Neurophysiology
Volume142
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2022

Keywords

  • Cortex
  • Deep brain stimulation
  • Local field potential
  • Microcircuit
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Subthalamic nucleus

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Sensory Systems
  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Physiology (medical)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Microscale electrophysiological functional connectivity in human cortico-basal ganglia network'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this