Effets fonctionnels de la stimulation électrique du cortex moteur dans un modèle primate de la maladie de Parkinson

We conducted a preclinicai study of electrical interference in the primary motor cortex using a chronic MPTP primate model in which dopamine depletion was progressive and reguiariy documented using 18-F-DOPA positron emission tomography (PET). Compared to the OFF condition, 130 Hertz motor cortex stimulation produced a significant increase in total distance moved and maximal velocity and significantly reduced akinesia and bradykinesia, in animais with moderate or severe 18-F-DOPA depletion, but flot in nondisabled animais. This benefit was associated with an increased metabolic activity in the suppiementarY motor area as assessed with 18-F-deoxyglucoSe PET, a normalization of mean firing rate in the internaI globus pallidus (GPL) and the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and a reduction o? synchronized oscillatory neuronal activities in these two structures. Motor cortex stimulation is a simple procedure to modulate subthalamo-pallidocortical loop and alleviate parkinsonian symptoms.