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Updated: Aug 7, 2026
Controlling Parkinson's Disease With Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation
Published on: July 16, 2014
BOLD frequency-dependent alterations in resting-state functional connectivity by pallidal deep brain stimulation in
Zhenghao Li1, Yijie Lai2,3, Jun Li4
11School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai.
Objective:
Functional MRI (fMRI) has been used to investigate the therapeutic mechanisms underlying deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the alterations in stimulation site-seeded functional connectivity induced by DBS at the internal globus pallidus (GPi) remain unclear. Furthermore, whether DBS-modulated functional connectivity is differentially affected within particular frequency bands remains unknown. The present study aimed to reveal the alterations in stimulation site-seeded functional connectivity induced by GPi-DBS and to examine whether there exists a frequency band effect in blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signals related to DBS.
Methods:
Patients with PD receiving GPi-DBS (n = 28) were recruited for resting-state fMRI with DBS on and DBS off under a 1.5-T MR scanner. Age- and sex-matched healthy controls (n = 16) and DBS-naïve PD patients (n = 24) also received fMRI scanning. The alterations in stimulation site-seeded functional connectivity in the stimulation-on state versus stimulation-off state, as well as the relationship between alterations in connectivity and improvement in motor function induced by GPi-DBS, were examined. Furthermore, the modulatory effect of GPi-DBS on the BOLD signals within the 4 frequency subbands (slow-2 to slow-5) was investigated. Finally, the functional connectivity of the motor-related network, consisting of multiple cortical and subcortical regions, was also examined among the groups. In this study, p < 0.05 with Gaussian random field correction indicates statistical significance.
Results:
Functional connectivity seeding from the stimulation site (i.e., the volume of tissue activated [VTA]) increased in the cortical sensorimotor areas and decreased in the prefrontal regions with GPi-DBS. Alterations in connectivity between the VTA and the cortical motor areas were correlated with motor improvement by pallidal stimulation. The alterations in connectivity were dissociable between the frequency subbands in the occipital and cerebellar areas. The motor network analysis indicated decreased connectivity among most cortical and subcortical regions but increased connectivity between the motor thalamus and the cortical motor area in patients with GPi-DBS compared with those in DBS-naïve patients. The DBS-induced decrease in several cortical-subcortical connectivities within the slow-5 band correlated with motor improvement with GPi-DBS.
Conclusions:
These findings indicate that the alterations in functional connectivity from the stimulation site to the cortical motor areas, as well as multiple connectivities among the motor-related network, were associated with the efficacy of GPi-DBS for PD. Furthermore, the changing pattern of functional connectivity within the 4 BOLD frequency subbands is partially dissociable.
Insights
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's disease alters functional connectivity in motor areas, correlating with symptom improvement. These changes vary across brain frequency bands, offering insights into DBS mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Functional Neuroimaging
Background:
- Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a key treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD).
- Understanding the precise therapeutic mechanisms of DBS, particularly at the internal globus pallidus (GPi), is crucial.
- Previous research has not fully clarified how GPi-DBS affects functional connectivity or if these effects differ across frequency bands.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alterations in functional connectivity seeded from the GPi stimulation site in PD patients undergoing DBS.
- To examine the relationship between DBS-induced connectivity changes and motor function improvement.
- To determine if DBS modulates blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signals differently across specific frequency subbands.
Main Methods:
- Resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) was performed on PD patients with GPi-DBS (on vs. off), healthy controls, and DBS-naïve PD patients.
- Analysis focused on stimulation site-seeded functional connectivity and its correlation with motor improvements.
- BOLD signal changes within four frequency subbands (slow-2 to slow-5) were investigated, along with motor network connectivity.
Main Results:
- GPi-DBS increased functional connectivity from the stimulation site to sensorimotor cortex and decreased it in prefrontal regions.
- Connectivity changes between the stimulation site and motor cortex correlated with motor improvement.
- Frequency subband analysis revealed dissociable connectivity alterations in occipital and cerebellar areas.
- The motor network showed decreased overall connectivity but increased connectivity between the motor thalamus and motor cortex in GPi-DBS patients.
Conclusions:
- Alterations in functional connectivity, both from the GPi stimulation site and within the motor network, are linked to GPi-DBS efficacy in Parkinson's disease.
- The pattern of functional connectivity changes differs across distinct BOLD signal frequency subbands.
- These findings provide a deeper understanding of the neurobiological underpinnings of GPi-DBS treatment for PD.
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