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Updated: Jun 27, 2026
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Intra-Operative Behavioral Tasks in Awake Humans Undergoing Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery
Published on: January 6, 2011
Electrocorticography During Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery for Movement Disorders: Single-Center Experience
Helena Ljulj1, Kurt Lehner1, Kimberley Wyse-Sookoo2,3
1Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
Brain Sciences
|June 26, 2026
Summary
High-density electrocorticography during awake deep brain stimulation surgery is safe and feasible for movement disorder research. This method provides high-resolution neurophysiological data, improving spatial resolution and analysis compared to previous studies.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Neuroscience
- Medical Technology
Background:
- Electrocorticography (ECoG) is an intraoperative research tool during deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery.
- Awake patients can participate in behavioral tasks or rest during ECoG recordings.
Purpose of the Study:
- Describe ECoG methods in awake DBS surgery patients.
- Assess feasibility, safety, and usefulness of high-density ECoG for high-resolution neurophysiological data.
- Hypothesize improved spatial resolution and data analysis with high-density ECoG and multi-subject integration.
Main Methods:
- Data from 36 awake DBS surgery patients (Parkinson's disease, essential tremor) between March 2022-September 2024.
- Analysis of electrophysiological and anatomical data using standard coordinate systems.
- Monitoring of surgical complications for at least six months postoperatively.
Main Results:
- Thirty-six patients enrolled; one had inadequate anatomical placement.
- Complications included 3 infections (8.3%) and 1 subdural hematoma (2.8%), with no permanent deficits.
- High-density ECoG enabled high-resolution cortical mapping and multi-subject analysis with over 1300 electrode positions.
Conclusions:
- ECoG is a valuable research method for movement disorders during DBS surgery.
- The procedure is safe, with risks comparable to standard DBS surgery.
- High-density ECoG offers enhanced spatial resolution and data analysis capabilities.
