Movement decoding using spatio-spectral features of cortical and subcortical local field potentials

The first commercially sensing enabled deep brain stimulation (DBS) devices for the treatment of movement disorders have recently become available. In the future, such devices could leverage machine learning based brain signal decoding strategies to individualize and adapt therapy in real-time. As multi-channel recordings become available, spatial information may provide an additional advantage for informing machine learning models. To investigate this concept, we compared decoding performances from single channels vs. spatial filtering techniques using intracerebral multitarget electrophysiology in Parkinson's disease patients undergoing DBS implantation. We investigated the feasibility of spatial filtering in invasive neurophysiology and the putative utility of combined cortical ECoG and subthalamic local field potential signals for decoding grip-force, a well-defined and continuous motor readout. We found that adding spatial information to the model can improve decoding (6% gain in decoding), but the spatial patterns and additional benefit was highly individual. Beyond decoding performance results, spatial filters and patterns can be used to obtain meaningful neurophysiological information about the brain networks involved in target behavior. Our results highlight the importance of individualized approaches for brain signal decoding, for which multielectrode recordings and spatial filtering can improve precision medicine approaches for clinical brain computer interfaces.