Project information
Revealing the neural encoding of proprioception in the subthalamic nucleus to design proprioceptive-guided biomimetic Deep Brain Stimulation protocols for Parkinson’s Disease (BiPED)

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting more than 6 million people worldwide. Its primary symptoms—tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, postural instability—severely impact patients’ quality of life. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), a neurosurgical technique that modulates the electrical activity of deep brain structures, is a well-established therapy for alleviating PD motor symptoms. DBS is commonly targeted at the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and aims to disrupt the aberrant neural activity underlying PD’s symptoms. While effective for many patients, STN DBS can exacerbate balance and gait disturbances, increasing the risk of falls. Indeed, the STN plays a key role in processing proprioceptive information—the sense of body position—which is essential for maintaining balance. However, how the STN encodes proprioceptive information remain poorly understood, presenting a major challenge for designing effective DBS protocols. This project aims to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying proprioceptive encoding in the STN and leverage this knowledge to develop an innovative biomimetic DBS strategy that preserves proprioception. First, using state-of-the-art electrophysiology in mice, I will assess how the STN encodes passive and active proprioceptive information in both healthy subjects and PD models. Then, I will use these insights to design a DBS protocol that mimics naturalistic STN activity by incorporating critical proprioceptive signals. Finally, I will test this protocol in PD patients and against traditional DBS. This work, at the intersection between neuroscience and engineering, focuses on developing novel biomimetic DBS protocols, aligning directly with the core focus of Dr. Lamoš’s and Dr. Glowacki’s research program. CEITEC’s advanced DBS technology and expertise make it the ideal setting for this research. In the long term, this work will pave the way to develop personalized DBS protocols, advancing therapeutic interventions for PD.