Behnke JK, Peach RL, Gerster M, Köhler RM, Habets JGV, Busch JL, Mathiopoulou V, Kaplan J, Feldmann LK, Vivien J, Ip CW, Schneider GH, Faust K, Krause P, Kühn AA.

NPJ Parkinsons Dis. 2026 May 8; 12(1): 114. doi: 10.1038/s41531-026-01380-1. PMID: 42103747; PMCID: PMC13156298.

Abstract

Accurate subthalamic beta activity could guide deep brain stimulation programming in Parkinson’s disease, but bipolar recordings complicate contact selection. In 39 patients, we validated three methods to estimate pseudo-monopolar beta power. Distance-weighted methods (Euclidean, Strelow) agreed consistently with the externalized “ground-truth” beta distribution. Maximal beta power across 20s windows was more stable in ring than in directional channels. Beta-contacts from all methods aligned with clinically active stimulation contacts one year after surgery.