Subthalamic Signature of Freezing of Gait in Parkinson’s Disease

Freezing of gait (FOG) is a significant disability in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) only partially alleviates it, with approximately one-third of patients experiencing worsening FOG within a year after surgery. The precise role of STN dysfunction in gait disabilities and FOG remains not fully elucidated. To investigate this, we recorded gait and STN local field potential (LFP) activity in 38 PD patients, both Off and On dopamine medication. Our analysis focused on the relationship between gait performance and STN neuronal activity, particularly examining differences in LFP activity across the posterior-sensorimotor and central-associative regions of the STN. When Off dopamine medication, 12 patients experienced FOG during recordings, with a total of 263 FOG episodes documented. Even in trials without FOG episodes, these patients exhibited altered gait initiation strategies, prioritizing stepping rhythm to manage balance and initiate walking. In contrast, non-FOG patients maintained a higher walking pace. STN activity patterns revealed key differences. In FOG patients, weaker STN alpha/low beta band activity in the STN was associated with walking pace, while stronger decreased low beta band activity correlated with rhythm and balance control. This low beta band association extended from the posterior-sensorimotor to the central-associative STN. In contrast, non-FOG patients showed a more restricted relationship between low beta band activity and gait performance, confined to the posterior STN. As stepping rhythm deteriorated further in FOG patients, FOG episodes occurred. FOG episodes were preceeded by a significant positive relationship between high beta power and rhythm restricted to the posterior STN, with a reverse negative relationship with pace, and a disruption in low beta desynchronization across both posterior and central STN regions. Dopamine medication significantly improved gait patterns, and partially restored STN neuronal activity, reducing differences between FOG and non-FOG patients. These findings differentiate two FOG states, i.e. predisposition and occurrence, each associated with distinct gait initiation strategies and STN activity patterns. They suggest distinct pathophysiological roles of low and high beta band STN activity within specific STN regions in regulating gait and FOG. These findings provide key insights for refining targeted DBS therapies.