Absence of STN Neuronal Activity during MER in DBS Surgery: Diagnostic and Clinical Implications

The absence of detectable STN activity during intraoperative MER may reflect underlying neurodegenerative pathology distinct from idiopathic PD, such as PSP-P. These findings suggest that MER, beyond its role in anatomical targeting, may serve as a valuable intraoperative biological indicator for diagnostic refinement. Even within a multidisciplinary setting led by movement disorder specialists, distinguishing PD from PSP-P prior to surgery remains a significant challenge. Improved diagnostic accuracy is critical to optimize patient selection for DBS and to prevent ineffective or potentially deleterious interventions.