# Neuronal Activity in MC and SMA during STN and GPi DBS in the Parkinsonian Monkey

> **NIH NIH R37** · UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA · 2020 · $612,502

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The overall goal of this proposal is to examine the changes in cortical network activity in the parkinsonian state
and how these are modified during DBS or administration of levodopa and improvement in motor signs.
Although multiple studies have examined the changes in basal ganglia activity that occur in the parkinsonian
state, there are few studies and little understanding of the changes in cortical neuronal activity, function, how
these changes mediate the development of motor signs, or how they are modulated during deep brain
stimulation (DBS). In our previous proposal we have made significant strides in characterizing the changes in
neuronal activity in the supplementary and motor cortices (SMA and MC) in the parkinsonian condition and
during STN or GPi DBS using the MPTP monkey model of PD. The current proposal continues and broadens
this work to include the dorsolateral prefrontal and dorsal premotor cortices (DLPFC and PMd), areas with
known anatomical connections to the basal ganglia, which are intimately involved in motor control and in the
development of parkinsonian motor signs but have been largely ignored in nonhuman primate studies of PD
pathophysiology. In this proposal we will examine cortical network function in PD by characterizing the
changes in neuronal activity that occur within and across the DLPFC, PMd, SMA and MC in the parkinsonian
state using the MPTP monkey model of PD, examine how DBS in the internal and external segments of the
globus pallidus (GPi and GPe, respectively) and subthalamic nucleus (STN) modify this activity, and how the
changes associated with DBS compare to that which occurs with administration of levodopa. We will
simultaneously record from populations of cells in the DLPFC, PMd, SMA and MC using Utah arrays in the
DLPFC, PMd, and MC, and Gray Matter devices in the SMA, at rest and during passive and active movement
and compare results across the following conditions: normal, parkinsonian, parkinsonian + DBS in three
different sites (GPe, GPi and STN), and parkinsonism + L-dopa (alone and in combination with DBS in each of
the three sites). We will explore the role of GPe as an alternative target to STN and GPi DBS given our
previous studies demonstrating its suppressive effects on both STN and GPi. Characteristics of neuronal
activity and connectivity changes will be correlated with the development of parkinsonian motor signs, their
amelioration during DBS and L-dopa and to changes in the planning, initiation and execution of movement.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9984533
- **Project number:** 5R37NS077657-08
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
- **Principal Investigator:** Jerrold L Vitek
- **Activity code:** R37 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $612,502
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2012-08-15 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9984533

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9984533, Neuronal Activity in MC and SMA during STN and GPi DBS in the Parkinsonian Monkey (5R37NS077657-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9984533. Licensed CC0.

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