This project has two main parts. In the first part, we aim to improve our understanding of the relationship between the intra-operative MER signals and the anatomy in patients with PD. Micro electrode recordings are used to refine the target position of the electrodes based on the characteristic signals from the different brain structures. In this part of the project, we study how the planned target and trajectories are modified based on intra-operative MER and how the characteristic signals relate to the anatomy as shown in the MR images.
In the second part, we will study retrospective patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). We will correlate the actual anatomical location of the DBS electrodes with the change in patient reported quality of life (QoL) before and after surgery. We will investigate whether it is it possible to identify anatomical regions that are associated with high improvement in quality of life after surgery and similarly, if are there regions that are associated with no improvement or even deterioration.