Involvement of the subthalamic nucleus and globus pallidus internus in attention

We studied the appearance of cognitive event-related potentials (ERPs) and event-related de/synchronizations (ERD/S) in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and globus pallidus internus (GPi). We particularly focused on the rare non-target (distractor) stimuli processing. ERPs and ERD/S in the alpha and beta frequency range were analyzed in seven Parkinson's disease patients and one primary dystonia patient with implanted deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrodes. A visual three-stimulus protocol was used (frequent stimulus, target stimulus, and distractor). The non-target and distractor-related waveforms manifested similar shapes. A specific positive ERP peak around 200 ms and a low alpha frequency ERS were detected from the STN as a response to the distractor stimuli in six of the patients with Parkinson's disease and also in the primary dystonia patient's GPi. This positivity probably reflects an attentional orienting response to the distractor stimuli. The STN and GPi are probably involved in attentional cerebral networks.