Discharge properties of human subthalamic nucleus neurons in Parkinson's disease

Based on recordings in the MPTP monkey model of Parkinson's disease it has been proposed, that Parkinsonian symptoms are associated with characteristic changes in the spontaneous firing pattern of basal ganglia neurons. One pathophysiological hallmark is the increased firing rate of neurons in globus pallidus internus (GPi) and subthalamic nucleus (STN). Other characteristic features of the Parkinsonian state include abnormal oscillatory discharge patterns and increased synchrony between pairs of basal ganglia neurons. Microelectrode guided implantations of deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrodes in the nucleus…