Electrophysiological Recordings of Deep Brain Stimulation in the Basal Ganglia

The pathology of Parkinson's disease (PD) and the mechanism of Deep Brain Stimulation surgery (DBS) are not completely understood. The recording data that is used routinely as part of the procedure to map the target structures, however, may be analyzed in order to better understand the neural network dynamics in PD. The purpose of the study is to perform simultaneous neural recordings from sub-cortical structures (e.g. subthalamic nucleus \[STN\] or globus pallidus internus \[GPi\]) and the cerebral cortex. These simultaneous recordings may provide insight in the pathology of PD and the mechanism of DBS. The researchers will also study the effects of anesthesia level on neuron synchronization . Recordings with micro-ECoG grid electrodes in the cortex show improved spatial resolution and these will be used to gain better understanding of cortical network dynamics and the synchronization with subcortical structures.