Journal of neuroscience methods
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J. Neurosci. Methods · Mar 2008
Validation of a fiducial-based atlas localization method for deep brain stimulation contacts in the area of the subthalamic nucleus.
Differences in the location of active contacts with respect to the subthalamic nucleus (STN) may account for much variability in motor, psychiatric and cognitive responses to deep brain stimulation (DBS) in Parkinson disease (PD) patients. Because localization of STN based on hypointensity in T2-weighted MR images is unreliable and further limited by artifacts from the metal electrodes, we developed and validated a method to transform brain images into stereotactic space [Mai JK, Assheuer J, Paxinos G. Atlas of the Human Brain, 2nd ed. ⋯ Mean discrepancies were 0.1, 0.9, and 0.0mm (x, y, z) with standard deviations of 0.9, 0.7 and 1.1mm, respectively. Because post-operative determination of contact location with respect to the STN is necessary due to possible shifting of electrodes during surgical placement, we identified active contacts on post-operative CT images and transformed their locations into stereotactic space. This method provides an accurate and reliable means for STN DBS contact localization.