Chronic implantation of deep brain stimulation leads in animal models of neurological disorders

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has routinely been used as a treatment option in Parkinson's disease (PD), tremor disorders and, more recently, dystonia. Here, we describe a method of implantation of DBS leads in the monkey model of PD. By adapting procedures used in human patients, we have devised implantation techniques that can be readily applied to any animal model in which stimulation of subcortical structures is desired. The procedure for implantation consists of microelectrode mapping of the target structure, DBS lead preparation and implantation, and verification of lead placement. The stimulation system described in this paper allows for simultaneous recording of neuronal activity (during stimulation) and observation of animal behavior without restriction of the subject's head or body. In addition, we detail techniques for stimulation and recording from distant structures (utilizing either a one or two chamber system) to facilitate examination of the effects of DBS on neural activity. Thus, the correlation of changes in neuronal activity with behavior during stimulation of subcortical structures can be accomplished. In addition, the use of leads in primates which are analogous in size to human devices allows for close reproduction of the effects of stimulation as observed in humans.