Deep brain stimulation-responsive subthalamo-cortical coupling in obsessive-compulsive disorder - a case study

Background Deep brain stimulation (DBS) reduces beta-band coupling between the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and cortex in Parkinson's disease (PD). How DBS affects beta-band coupling in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is unknown. Objective To characterize the effect of DBS on STN-cortex coupling in OCD. Methods Local field potential recordings from the STN via a sensing-capable DBS system were combined with magnetoencephalography. We recorded one OCD patient at rest (DBS OFF and ON), who further completed a Go/NoGo task (DBS OFF). Task-related brain activity was compared between the OCD and a PD patient. Results Resting-state STN power and STN-cortex coherence spectra exhibited right-lateralized beta peaks in the OCD patient, which were diminished by DBS. Prominent task-related modulations of STN activity occurred in the theta band for the OCD patient, and in the beta band for the PD patient. Conclusions DBS reduces subthalamic beta oscillations in patients without motor symptoms.