Sixty hertz subthalamic deep brain stimulation improves freezing of gait with less attenuation of beta band power than 140Hz stimulation (P4.071)

Objective: Characterize the effects of STN deep brain stimulation (DBS) location and frequency on neural and kinematic recordings during freezing of gait (FOG) in freely moving Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients Background: FOG can be characterized by subthalamic neural features such as lower beta band (13–30 Hz) power during movement. STN DBS attenuates beta band power and may not control FOG over the long term. Design/Methods: Synchronized STN Local Field Potentials (LFPs) and gait kinematics were recorded in 13 PD patients, off-medication, performed: forward walking (FW), stepping-in-place (SIP), and turning and barrier course (TBC) tasks. Tasks were completed during NO, 60Hz and 140Hz DBS in randomized order on dorsal electrodes on clinical settings. The SIP task was completed during randomized 60 and 140Hz DBS on ventral electrodes in 9 subjects. Results: 60 and 140Hz DBS significantly decreased the number of freezing episodes (FEs) compared to the off stimulation state in all tasks. Gait arrhythmicity and asymmetry showed greater improvement during 60Hz compared to 140Hz DBS during the TBC. There was less attenuation of the movement beta band during 60Hz DBS as compared to 140Hz DBS (p=0.001). Results demonstrated a decrease in % of task freezing during DBS on the most ventral electrodes when compared to the more dorsal electrode on both frequencies. Conclusions: 1. 60Hz STN DBS improved FOG while maintaining more beta power during movement than 140Hz DBS. 2. STN DBS through the ventral electrode was superior to more dorsal STN DBS at both 60 and 140 Hz. Neural and kinematic data suggests that FOG may respond better to lower frequency, ventral STN DBS. Disclosure: Dr. Anidi has nothing to disclose. Dr. O9Day has nothing to disclose. Dr. Afzal has nothing to disclose. Dr. Syrkin-Nikolau has nothing to disclose. Dr. Velisar has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bronte-Stewart has nothing to disclose.