IMR Press / JIN / Volume 23 / Issue 4 / DOI: 10.31083/j.jin2304084
Open Access Original Research
Effects of Unilateral High Frequency Stimulation of the Subthalamic Nucleus on Risk-avoidant Behavior in a Partial 6-hydroxydopamine Model of Parkinson's Disease
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1 Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
2 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
3 Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
4 Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA
5 Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
6 Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
*Correspondence: lujan.luis@mayo.edu (J. Luis Lujan)
J. Integr. Neurosci. 2024, 23(4), 84; https://doi.org/10.31083/j.jin2304084
Submitted: 30 December 2023 | Revised: 21 February 2024 | Accepted: 26 February 2024 | Published: 19 April 2024
Copyright: © 2024 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.
This is an open access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Abstract

Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is a well-established treatment for the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD). While PD is primarily characterized by motor symptoms such as tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia, it also involves a range of non-motor symptoms, and anxiety is one of the most common. The relationship between PD and anxiety is complex and can be a result of both pathological neural changes and the psychological and emotional impacts of living with a chronic progressive condition. Managing anxiety in PD is critical for improving the patients’ quality of life. However, patients undergoing STN DBS can occasionally experience increased anxiety. Methods: This study investigates changes in risk-avoidant behavior following STN DBS in a pre-motor animal model of PD under chronic and acute unilateral high frequency stimulation. Results: No significant changes in risk-avoidant behaviors were observed in rats who underwent STN DBS compared with sham stimulation controls. Chronic stimulation prevented sensitization in the elevated zero maze. Conclusions: These results suggest that unilateral stimulation of the STN may have minimal effects on risk-avoidant behaviors in PD. However, additional research is required to fully understand the mechanisms responsible for changes in anxiety during STN DBS for PD.

Keywords
deep brain stimulation
subthalamic nucleus
risk-avoidance
6-hydroxydopamine
Parkinson's disease
Funding
R01 NS107336/National Institutes of Health NINDS
The Grainger Foundation
Figures
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