Klinische Neurophysiologie 2012; 43 - P073
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1301623

Separable cortico-basal ganglia networks support self-imposed transient response inhibition

A Franz 1, O Granert 1, M Rijntjes 2, HR Siebner 1, C Weiller 2, T van Eimeren 1
  • 1Klinik für Neurologie, UKSH, Campus Kiel, Kiel
  • 2Freiburg Brain Imaging, Freiburg

Aim: High-frequency electrical stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) has been linked with loss of inhibitory control in patients with Parkinson’s disease (1). Yet, experiments using classical tasks of externally cued response inhibition (e.g. stop-signal-reaction-time task) in those patients have yielded conflicting results (2,3). We aimed to study brain network activity during self-imposed inhibition of visually cued finger movements. Methods: During fMRI, healthy volunteers had to respond to a 2-choice reaction time paradigm. However, they were told, not to respond immediately, but after a self-chosen variable delay of 2–15 seconds. Results: Analysis of inhibition-specific brain activation and functional coupling with the STN revealed distinct patterns for separate cortico-basal ganglia networks. Inhibition-specific activation in addition to an increased coupling with STN activity was found in several subcortical (right ventro-lateral thalamus, ventral pallidum and ventral putamen) and mesial cortical areas (preSMA, anterior cingulate, mid-cingulate and posterior cingulate cortex) (Fig. A). Conversely, the precuneus, posterior cingulate cortex, left superior and right inferior parietal cortex showed increased coupling with STN activity during self-imposed inhibition without increase in regional activity (Fig. B). Conclusions: We argue that these two separable sets of cortical networks contribute to different aspects of motor inhibition by influencing STN activity during self-imposed response inhibition. The more rostral mesial cortical areas might be involved in timing processes and actual response suppression (4), whereas the more posterior parietal and cingulate regions might subserve processes linked to proactive inhibition (5). These cortical networks may play separate roles in the development of impulsive behavior following deep brain stimulation of the STN.

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