Neurophysiological Characterization of Posteromedial Hypothalamus in Anaesthetized Patients

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) requires a precise localization, which is especially difficult at the hypothalamus, because it is usually performed in anesthetized patients. We aimed to characterize the neurophysiological properties posteromedial hypothalamus (PMH), identified by the best neurophysiological response to electrical stimulation. We obtained microelectrode recordings from four patients with intractable aggressivity operated under general anesthesia. We pooled data from 1.5 mm at PMH, 1.5 mm upper (uPMH) and 1.5 mm lower (lPMH). We analyzed 178 units, characterized by the mean action potential (mAP). Only 11% were negative. We identified the next types of units: P1N1 (30.9%), N1P1N2 (29.8%), P1P2N1 (16.3%), N1P1 and N1N2P1 (6.2%) and P1N1P2 (5.0%). Besides, atypical action potentials (amAP) were recorded in 11.8%. PMH was highly different in cell composition from uPMH and lPMH, exhibiting also a higher percentage of amAP. Different kinds of cells shared similar features for the three hypothalamic regions. Although features for discharge pattern did not show region specificity, the probability mass function of inter-spike interval were different for all the three regions. Comparison of the same kind of mAP with thalamic neurons previously published demonstrate that most of cells are different for derivatives, amplitude and/or duration of repolarization and depolarization phases and also for the first phase, demonstrating a highly specificity for both brain centers. Therefore, the different properties described for PMH can be used to positively refine targeting, even under general anesthesia. Besides, we describe by first time the presence of atypical extracellular action potentials.

Automated summary

Deep brain stimulation requires precise localization, especially in the hypothalamus. This study characterized the neurophysiological properties of the posteromedial hypothalamus (PMH) using electrical stimulation. The results showed significant differences between PMH, upper PMH (uPMH), and lower PMH (lPMH) in cell composition and characteristics. Additionally, atypical extracellular action potentials were observed for the first time.