An algorithmic procedure for measuring deep brain stimulation-induced capsular activation using motor evoked potentials.

Objective: Effective deep brain stimulation (DBS) treatment for Parkinson's disease requires careful adjustment of stimulation parameters and targeting to avoid motor side effects caused by activation of the internal capsule. Currently, patients must self-report side effects during device programming and implantation surgery - a challenging and subjective process that could lead to suboptimal therapy or exacerbate the time needed to optimize treatment. Motor evoked potentials (mEP), the use of electromyography to record DBS-induced muscle activation, offer a promising biomarker for objective motor side effect detection.

Approach: Here, we present an automated algorithmic procedure for mEP detection and quantification.

Main Results: First, we design and evaluate a series of signal processing techniques to accurately detect mEP while mitigating the influence of stimulation artifacts and noise, then demonstrate a strategy for integrating multi-channel EMG responses into a single side effect biomarker (the mEP score). Next, we use data from a large patient cohort of intraoperative recordings (N = 54 STN leads) to quantify several physiological features of mEP, including their response frequency, latency, amplitude, and waveform similarity properties. Last, we show that the mEP score responds to DBS amplitude and contact configuration parameters in a manner that is consistent with expected STN-capsular anatomy.

Significance: The results of this study inform an end-to-end approach for side effect biomarker measurement that could aid the precision and efficiency of DBS programming and surgical targeting.