Deep Brain Stimulation of the Prelimbic Medial Prefrontal Cortex: Quantification of the Effect on Glucose Metabolism in the Rat Brain Using [18 F]FDG MicroPET

Prefrontal cortex (PFC) deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been proposed as a therapy for addiction and depression. This study investigates changes in rat cerebral glucose metabolism induced by different DBS frequencies using mu PET. One hour DBS of the prelimbic area (PL) of the medial PFC (mPFC) (60 Hz, 130 Hz or sham) in rats (n = 9) was followed by 2-deoxy-2-[(18) F] fluoro-d-glucose ([(18) F]FDG) mu PET. Sixty Hz DBS elicited significant hypermetabolism in the ipsilateral PL ([(18) F]FDG uptake +5.2 +/- 2.3 %, p < 0.05). At 130 Hz, hypometabolism was induced in the ipsilateral PL (-2.5 +/- 2.6 %, non-significant). Statistical parametric mapping revealed hypo and hypermetabolism clusters for both 60 and 130 Hz versus sham and show a certain state of alertness (increased activity in sensory and motor-related regions) mainly for 60 Hz. This study suggests the potential of 60 Hz PL mPFC DBS for the treatment of disorders associated with prefrontal hypofunction.