Connectivity patterns of pallidal DBS electrodes in focal dystonia: a diffusion tensor tractography study

Neuroimage. 2014 Jan 1:84:435-42. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2013.09.009. Epub 2013 Sep 14.

Abstract

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the internal pallidal segment (GPi: globus pallidus internus) is gold standard treatment for medically intractable dystonia, but detailed knowledge of mechanisms of action is still not available. There is evidence that stimulation of ventral and dorsal GPi produces opposite motor effects. The aim of this study was to analyse connectivity profiles of ventral and dorsal GPi. Probabilistic tractography was initiated from DBS electrode contacts in 8 patients with focal dystonia and connectivity patterns compared. We found a considerable difference in anterior-posterior distribution of fibres along the mesial cortical sensorimotor areas between the ventral and dorsal GPi connectivity. This finding of distinct GPi connectivity profiles further confirms the clinical evidence that the ventral and dorsal GPi belong to different functional and anatomic motor subsystems. Their involvement could play an important role in promoting clinical DBS effects in dystonia.

Keywords: Basal ganglia; Deep brain stimulation; Diffusion tensor imaging; Dystonia; Motor networks.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Connectome / methods
  • Deep Brain Stimulation / instrumentation
  • Deep Brain Stimulation / methods*
  • Diffusion Tensor Imaging / methods*
  • Dystonic Disorders / pathology*
  • Dystonic Disorders / therapy*
  • Electrodes, Implanted
  • Female
  • Globus Pallidus / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / pathology*
  • Nerve Net / pathology*
  • Neural Pathways / pathology
  • Neuronal Plasticity
  • Treatment Outcome