Abstract Beta oscillatory activity (13-30Hz) is pervasive within the cortico-basal ganglia (CBG) network. Studies in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients and animal models suggested that beta-power increases with dopamine depletion. However, the exact relationship between oscillatory power, frequency and dopamine-tone remains unclear. We recorded neural activity in the CBG network of non-human-primates (NHP) while acutely up- and down-modulating dopamine levels. Further, we assessed changes in beta oscillations of PD patients following acute and chronic changes in dopamine-tone. Beta oscillation frequency was strongly coupled with dopamine-tone in both NHPs and human patients. In contrast, power, coherence between single-units and LFP, and spike-LFP phase-locking were not systematically regulated by dopamine levels. These results demonstrate via causal manipulations that frequency, rather than other properties, is the key property of pathological oscillations in the CBG networks. These insights can lead to improvements in understanding of CBG physiology, PD progression tracking and patient care.

Frequency matters: Up- and Down-Regulation of Dopamine Tone Induces Similar Frequency Shifts in Cortico-Basal Ganglia Beta Oscillations