Foundations of automatic system for intrasurgical localization of subthalamic nucleus in Parkinson patients

Abstract

During deep brain stimulation (DBS) treatment of Parkinson disease, the target of the surgery is the subthalamic nucleus (STN). This anatomical structure is small (9×7×4 mm) and poorly visible using Computer Tomography (CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans.

Because of that, a multi-electrode micro recording system is used intra surgically for better localization of the target nucleus. This paper presents five different analytical methods, that can be used to construct an autonomic system which can aid neurosurgeons in precise localization of the $Subthalamic\;Nucleus$ (STN). Such system could be used during surgery in the environment of the operation theater. Described methods take as input signals recorded from the micro electrodes. Their result in turn allows one to tell which from the recorded signals comes from the STN. First method bases on the recorded action potentials, i.e. on electrical activity of neurons that are near electrode's recording tip. Second utilizes root mean square of recorded signals. Third takes into account amplitude of the background noise present in the recorded signal. The last two methods examine Low Frequency Background (LFB) and High Frequency Background (HFB).