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Updated: Jun 8, 2026
Non-Invasive Electrical Brain Stimulation Montages for Modulation of Human Motor Function
Published on: February 4, 2016
Deep brain stimulation does not change neurovascular coupling in non-motor visual cortex: an autonomic and visual
Elsa Azevedo1, Rosa Santos, João Freitas
1Department of Neurology, Hospital São João and Faculty of Medicine of University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernani Monteiro, 4202-451 Porto, Portugal. elsaazevedo@netcabo.pt
Background And Purpose:
In Parkinson's disease (PD) subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) improves motor function. Also an effect on the neurovascular coupling in motor cortex was reported due to a parallel activation of a subthalamic vasodilator area (SVA). To address this issue further we analysed neurovascular coupling in a non-motor area.
Methods:
Twenty PD patients selected for bilateral STN-DBS were investigated with functional transcranial Doppler (f-TCD) before and after surgery. Hemodynamic responses to visual stimulation were registered in left posterior cerebral artery (PCA) and analysed with a control-system approach (parameters gain, rate time, attenuation and natural frequency). To exclude autonomic effects of STN-DBS, we also addressed spectrum analysis of heart rate and of systolic arterial blood pressure variability, and baroreceptor gain. Findings in the PD group were compared with healthy age-matched controls.
Results:
PD patients showed no neurovascular coupling changes in PCA territory, compared to controls, and STN-DBS changed neither blood flow regulatory parameters nor autonomic function.
Conclusions:
Improvement of vasoregulation in some motor cortical areas after STN-DBS might be related to an improved neuronal functional rather than indicating an effect on the neurovascular coupling or autonomic function.
