Pathological Beta Burst Dynamics are Conserved Across Different Movements in Parkinson’s Disease

BackgroundResting state beta band (13 – 30 Hz) oscillations represent pathological neural activity in Parkinson’s disease (PD). It is unknown whether the peak frequency or dynamics of beta oscillations change among rest, fine, limb and axial movements. This will be critical for the development and feasibility of closed loop deep brain stimulation (DBS) algorithms during resting and movement states.MethodsSubthalamic (STN) local field potentials (LFPs) were recorded from a sensing neurostimulator (Activa® PC+S, Medtronic Inc.,) and synchronized to kinematic recordings in twelve PD participants off medication/off STN DBS during thirty seconds of repetitive alternating finger tapping, wrist-flexion extension, stepping in place, and free walking. Beta power peaks and beta burst dynamics were identified by custom algorithms; beta burst dynamics were compared among rest and movement tasks.ResultsResting state burst durations were longer in a PD beta band, which was elevated above the 1/f physiological spectrum compared to an overlapping band (p < 0.001). Beta power peaks were evident during fine, limb, and axial movements in 98% of movement trials; the peak frequencies were similar during movements and at rest. Burst duration, average and peak power were also similar among the four movement tasks across the group but varied within individuals.ConclusionsProlonged burst durations were a feature of PD bands elevated above and not of PD bands overlapping the 1/f spectrum. The conservation of rest/movement band peak frequency and burst dynamics during different activity states supports the feasibility of successful closed loop DBS algorithms driven by beta burst dynamics during different activities and at rest.HighlightsProlonged beta burst durations represent pathological neural activity in Parkinson’s diseaseBeta band peak frequencies are similar across rest, fine, limb and axial movementsBeta burst dynamics are similar among rest and different movement statesConservation of Parkinsonian neural characteristics across different activity states supports the feasibility of closed loop deep brain stimulation systems in daily life