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Human subthalamic nucleus neurons differentially encode speech and limb movement
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Human subthalamic nucleus neurons differentially encode speech and limb movement

Karim Johari, Ryan Kelley, Kris Tjaden, Charity Patterson, Andrea Rohl, Joel Berger, Daniel Corcos and Jeremy Greenlee
Frontiers in human neuroscience, Vol.17, 962909
02/17/2023
DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.962909
PMCID: PMC9983637
PMID: 36875233
url
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2023.962909View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN), which consistently improves limb motor functions, shows mixed effects on speech functions in Parkinson’s disease (PD). One possible explanation for this discrepancy is that STN neurons may differentially encode speech and limb movement. However, this hypothesis has not yet been tested. We examined how STN is modulated by limb movement and speech by recording 69 single- and multi-unit neuronal clusters in 12 intraoperative PD patients. Our findings indicated: 1) diverse patterns of modulation in neuronal firing rates in STN for speech and limb movement; 2) a higher number of STN neurons were modulated by speech vs. limb movement; 3) an overall increase in neuronal firing rates for speech vs. limb movement; and 4) participants with longer disease duration had higher firing rates. These data provide new insights into the role of STN neurons in speech and limb movement.
Neurodegenerative Diseases Neurons Parkinsons Disease Surgery Deep brain stimulation Electrical stimuli Electrodes Movement disorders Neuromodulation Parkinson's disease Solitary tract nucleus Speech Subthalamic nucleus

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