Human subthalamic nucleus neurons differentially encode speech and limb movement

Authors

Karim Johari, Louisiana State University
Ryan M. Kelley, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
Kris Tjaden, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York
Charity G. Patterson, University of Pittsburgh
Andrea H. Rohl, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
Joel I. Berger, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
Daniel M. Corcos, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Jeremy D.W. Greenlee, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2023

Abstract

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN), which consistently improves limb motor functions, shows mixed effects on speech functions in Parkinson’s disease (PD). One possible explanation for this discrepancy is that STN neurons may differentially encode speech and limb movement. However, this hypothesis has not yet been tested. We examined how STN is modulated by limb movement and speech by recording 69 single- and multi-unit neuronal clusters in 12 intraoperative PD patients. Our findings indicated: (1) diverse patterns of modulation in neuronal firing rates in STN for speech and limb movement; (2) a higher number of STN neurons were modulated by speech vs. limb movement; (3) an overall increase in neuronal firing rates for speech vs. limb movement; and (4) participants with longer disease duration had higher firing rates. These data provide new insights into the role of STN neurons in speech and limb movement.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Frontiers in Human Neuroscience

Recommended Citation

Johari, K., Kelley, R., Tjaden, K., Patterson, C., Rohl, A., Berger, J., Corcos, D., & Greenlee, J. (2023). Human subthalamic nucleus neurons differentially encode speech and limb movement. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 17 https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2023.962909