Beta Oscillation-Targeted Neurofeedback Training Based on Subthalamic LFPs in Parkinsonian Patients

Increased oscillatory activities in the beta frequency band (13-30 Hz) in the subthalamic nucleus (STN), and in particular prolonged episodes of increased synchrony in this frequency band, have been associated with motor symptoms such as bradykinesia and rigidity in Parkinson's disease (PD). Numerous studies have investigated sensorimotor cortical beta oscillations either as a control signal for Brain Computer Interfaces (BCI) or as target signal for neurofeedback training (NFB). However, it still remains unknown whether patients with PD can gain control of the pathological oscillations recorded from a subcortical site - the STN - with neurofeedback training. We tried to address this question in the current study. Specifically, we designed a simple basketball game, in which the position of a basketball changes based on the occurrence of events of temporally increased beta power quantified in real-time. Participants practised in the game to control the position of the basketball, which requires modulation of the beta oscillations recorded from STN local field potentials (LFPs). Our results suggest that it is possible to use neurofeedback training for PD patients to downregulate pathological beta oscillations in STN LFPs, and that this can lead to a reduction of beta oscillations in the cortical-STN motor network

Neurofeedback using implanted deep brain stimulation electrodes in patients with Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease represents a frequently occurring disease which still requires development of further therapies with neurofeedback constituting one possible element. The application of such method was researched with diverse approaches, including neurofeedback trials controlling local field potential beta frequency oscillations in the subthalamic nucleus with deep brain stimulation electrodes providing feedback. As these studies were conducted with externalised deep brain stimulation leads, the transferability to daily application was limited. In this study, we implement neurofeedback tasks with an entirely implanted deep brain stimulation system. Thereby, we hypothesise that deep brain electrical neurofeedback does have a positive effect on pathologica