Authors:

Ava Brenden

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working memory tas In my lab, we are studying how Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) impacts both cognitive and motor symptoms in Parkinson's Disease (PD) patients. My research would be an independent offshoot from this initial research in cognition specifically. This is studied in a working memory task with DBS turned on and then off. This data is also compared to age-matched healthy control (HC) participants. In this project, I plan to study how DBS treatment, targeting subthalamic nucleus (STN) and the globus pallidus interna (GPi), impacts working memory in PD in on and off states. Previous studies indicate that DBS may actually negatively impact cognitive symptoms despite improving motor symptoms (Bucur and Papagno, 105 UNIVERSITY OF OREGON • 2026 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM TABLE OF CONTENTS 2022). I will evaluate this using behavioral data and EEG data in the DBS on and off states. For behavioral data, I will compare the accuracy of the working memory task in both states. To analyze the EEG data, I will look at theta-band power (4-8 Hz), which is linked to cognitive processes and has shown an increased presence during memory retrieval (Herwig et. Al, 2021). So far, we have collected data from 7 PD participants and 10 HC participants. This research would help clarify how DBS impacts the cognitive symptoms associated with PD, which could help physicians better select patients who would benefit from DBS depending on their symptoms. If there are enough PD participants, there may be cognitive implications about GPi versus STN discovered as well.

Source:

University of Oregon / 2026

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Co-authors:

Ava Brenden