Closed-loop spinal cord stimulation is superior in restoring locomotion in rodent models of Parkinson's Disease

Abstract

Dorsal column stimulation (DCS) of the spinal cord is emerging as a promising new technology to treat Parkinsons disease (PD). However, optimal stimulation settings that maximize its therapeutic effect on PD symptoms are yet to be determined. Here we demonstrate a closed-loop DCS (CLDCS) paradigm - a substantial advancement from previously tested continuous high-frequency DCS - in a bilateral intrastriatal 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) rodent model of PD. Firstly, CLDCS, triggered by corticostriatal beta frequency oscillations facilitated a pro-locomotion brain state that restored locomotion and reduced akinesia. Secondly, CLDCS was better at disrupting ongoing beta oscillations and achieved it with lesser overall charge delivery than continuous open-loop stimulation. These results indicate that CLDCS is markedly better than traditional spinal cord stimulation methods and can potentially be highly effective in treating PD symptoms. We envision that the CLDCS approach can be beneficial in the treatment of other neurological disorders which showcase similar pathological neuronal oscillations.