@entity6948 (an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist) sedation is commonly used during subthalamic nucleus (STN) deep-brain stimulation (DBS). Its effects on the electrophysiological characteristics of @entity1 STN neurons are largely unknown. We hypothesised that @entity6948 modulates the firing rates and bursting of @entity1 STN neurons. We analysed microelectrode recording (MER) data from @entity1 with Parkinson's disease who underwent STN DBS. A 'Dex bolus' group ( @entity6948 bolus prior to MER; 27 cells from seven @entity1 ) was compared with a 'no sedation' group (29 cells from 11 @entity1 ). We also performed within- @entity1 comparisons with varying @entity6948 states. Cells were classified as dorsal half or ventral half based on their relative location in the STN. Neuronal burst and oscillation characteristics were analysed using the Kaneoke-Vitek methodology and local field potential (LFP) oscillatory activity was also investigated. @entity6948 was associated with a slight increase in firing rate (41.1    9.9 vs. 34.5    10.6 Hz, P = 0.02) but a significant decrease in burstiness (number of bursts, P = 0.02; burst index, P < 0.001; percentage of spikes in burst, P = 0.002) of dorsal but not ventral STN neurons. This was not associated with modulation of beta oscillations in the spike-oscillations analysis(beta peak, P = 0.4; signal-to-noise ratio in the beta range for spikes and bursts, P = 0.3 and P = 0.5, respectively) and LFP analysis (Beta power, P = 0.17). As bursting pattern is often used to identify STN and guide electrode placement, we recommend that high-dose @entity6948 should be avoided during DBS surgery.

The effect of XXXX on the firing properties of STN neurons in Parkinson's disease.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['human', 'patients', 'patient'] @entity6948 :: ('MESH:D020927', 'Chemical') :: ['dexmedetomidine', 'Dexmedetomidine']
@entity6948 :: (MESH:D020927,Chemical) :: ['dexmedetomidine']
