Microelectrode recordings from Patients with Parkinson-Disease

Microelectrode guided implantations of deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrodes in the subthalamicus nucleus (STN) for treating advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) offer the possibility of studying the spontaneous discharge behavior of basal ganglia neurons in humans. This scientific benefit adds to the clinical value of microelectrode recordings in delineating the exact borders of STN and substantia nigra – thereby helping to identify the most effective place for the permanent stimulation electrodes. We used a Ben-Gun approach to simultaneously collect activity from 5 trajectories during implantation of STN-DBS el…