Neural selectivity,efficiency, and dose equivalence in deep brain stimulation through pulse width tuning and segmented electrodes

BackgroundAchieving deep brain stimulation (DBS) dose equivalence is challenging, especially with pulse width tuning and directional contacts. Further, the precise effects of pulse width tuning are unknown, and recent reports of the effects of pulse width tuning on neural selectivity are at odds with classic biophysical studies.MethodsWe created multicompartment neuron models for two axon diameters and used finite element modeling to determine extracellular influence from standard and segmented electrodes. We analyzed axon activation profiles and calculated volumes of tissue activated.ResultsWe find that long pulse widths focus the stimulation effect on small, nearby fibers, suppressing distant white matter tract activation (responsible for some DBS side effects) and improving battery utilization when equivalent activation is maintained for small axons. Directional leads enable similar benefits to a greater degree. Reexamining previous reports of short pulse stimulation reducing side effects, we explore a possible alternate explanation: non-dose equivalent stimulation may have resulted in reduced spread of neural activation. Finally, using internal capsule avoidance as an example in the context of subthalamic stimulation, we present a patient-specific model to show how long pulse widths could help increase the biophysical therapeutic window.DiscussionWe find agreement with classic studies and predict that long pulse widths may focus the stimulation effect on small, nearby fibers and improve power consumption. While future pre-clinical and clinical work is necessary regarding pulse width tuning, it is clear that future studies must ensure dose equivalence, noting that energy- and charge-equivalent amplitudes do not result in equivalent spread of neural activation when changing pulse width.     

Simulation of transcranial magnetic stimulation in head model with morphologically-realistic cortical neurons

BackgroundTranscranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) enables non-invasive modulation of brain activity with both clinical and research applications, but fundamental questions remain about the neural types and elements TMS activates and how stimulation parameters affect the neural response.ObjectiveTo develop a multi-scale computational model to quantify the effect of TMS parameters on the direct response of individual neurons.MethodsWe integrated morphologically-realistic neuronal models with TMS-induced electric fields computed in a finite element model of a human head to quantify the cortical response to TMS with several combinations of pulse waveforms and current directions.ResultsTMS activated with lowest intensity intracortical axonal terminations in the superficial gyral crown and lip regions. Layer 5 pyramidal cells had the lowest thresholds, but layer 2/3 pyramidal cells and inhibitory basket cells were also activated at most intensities. Direct activation of layers 1 and 6 was unlikely. Neural activation was largely driven by the field magnitude, rather than the field component normal to the cortical surface. Varying the induced current direction caused a waveform-dependent shift in the activation site and provided a potential mechanism for experimentally observed differences in thresholds and latencies of muscle responses.ConclusionsThis biophysically-based simulation provides a novel method to elucidate mechanisms and inform parameter selection of TMS and other cortical stimulation modalities. It also serves as a foundation for more detailed network models of the response to TMS, which may include endogenous activity, synaptic connectivity, inputs from intrinsic and extrinsic axonal projections, and corticofugal axons in white matter.     

Cdk13表达对神经元轴突伸长的影响

目的探讨智力障碍相关基因Cdk13对神经轴突伸长的影响。方法通过基因敲除模型、质粒细胞转染等方法,荧光共聚焦显微镜成像技术检测神经元轴突的形态,观察轴突伸长的变化。结果 Cdk12和Cdk13在神经系统中有表达,在敲除Cdk12和Cdk13后轴突长度比对照组减少,两者比较有统计学差异(P0.05),敲除Cdk12和Cdk13基因后Cdk5 mRNA水平降低。结论 Cdk13和Cdk12的表达对神经元轴突的生长至关重要,其失活会引起神经元轴突形态异常,可能是导致智力障碍的病理机制。     

Reviving through human hippocampal newborn neurons

Recent contradictory data has renewed discussion regarding the existence of adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) in humans, i.e., the continued production of new neurons in the brain after birth. The present review revisits the debate of AHN in humans from a historical point of view in the face of contradictory evidence, analyzing the methods employed to investigate this phenomenon. Thus, to date, of the 57 studies performed in humans that we reviewed, 84% (48) concluded in favor of the presence of newborn neurons in the human adult hippocampus. Besides quality of the tissue (such as postmortem intervals below 26 hours as well as tissue conservation and fixation), considerations for assessing and quantify AHN in the human brain require the use of stereology and toxicological analyses of clinical data of the patient.     

褪黑素和6-羟褪黑素保护神经细胞抗缺血再灌注损伤比较研究

目的研究褪黑素(Mel)和6-羟褪黑素(6-OHMel)神经保护作用及作用机理。方法体外培养N2a细胞,模拟缺血再灌注(OGSD),加入Mel和6-OHMel,检测以下指标:①细胞生存能力:MTT法、乳酸脱氢酶释放;②细胞凋亡分析:DNA片断化,细胞色素C,Caspase3活性;③活性氧(ROS)和线粒体跨膜电位。结果①Mel和6-OHMel都能减轻OGSD诱导的N2a细胞损伤,Mel的作用强于6-OHMel。②Mel和6-OHMel均能抑制细胞色素C释放,但6-OHMel强于Mel。③Mel和6-OHMel都能稳定线粒体跨膜电位,但Mel作用时间比6-OHMel长。④Mel和6-OHMel能清除ROS,6-OHMel表现为直接作用,Mel表现为间接作用。⑤Mel和6-OHMel均能抑制caspase3的活性,但是作用时间不同。6-OHMel表现在OGSD后12h,Mel在OGSD后24h。结论Mel和6-OHMel的神经保护作用与其抗氧化、稳定线粒体功能相关,Mel的作用机制更复杂。     

Neuron transplantation into mice hippocampus alters sensitivity to barbital narcosis

The role of several hippocampal innervations in the sensitivity to barbital-induced narcosis was studied in selected mice strains. The outbred and inbred mouse strains HS/Ibg, SABRA/HUC, C57BL, CBA/LAC, and BALB/c were tested for barbital-induced sleep (315 mg/kg). The relatively short sleeping HS/Ibg (HS) and the longest sleeping BALE/c (BALE) were chosen for further investigation. Cholinergic (ACh), serotonergic (5-HT), and noradrenergic (NE) innervations were studied in HS strain; whereas BALE, which possesses both an unusually high sensitivity to barbital and unique NE innervations in the cortex and hippocampus, was employed in a detailed study of the NE innervations. Transplantation of embryonic NE cells from the mouse embryo into the hippocampus of adult HS mice increased barbital narcosis by 65% (p < 0.05), whereas transplantation of 5-HT cells decreased barbital narcosis by 54% (p < 0.001). Transplantation of ACh cells had no significant effect on barbital-induced narcosis. BALB mice were subjected to NE cell transplantation into the hippocampus and cortex. Similarly to HS, BALB receiving NE transplants into their hippocampus slept 34% longer than control after barbital challenge (p < 0.025). Noradrenergic cell transplantation into frontal cortex had no effect on barbital sleep. The results suggest that (a) enhancement by neural grafting of the NE innervation to the hippocampus accentuates and enhancement of the 5-HT innervations attenuates the sensitivity to barbital narcosis, whereas ACh innervations have no effect on the sensitivity to barbital narcosis, and (b) the unusually high sensitivity of BALB mice to barbital may not be related to its unique NE innervations.     

刺五加皂甙对培养神经元拟衰老反应的观察

目的 :研究刺五加皂甙 (ASS)对神经细胞老化的保护作用。方法 :采用无血清培养方式制备离体培养的ICR小鼠胎鼠脑皮层神经元衰老模型 ,从生化和形态方面观察刺五加皂甙对衰老条件下的神经元保护作用。结果 :对照组MTT(2 .782± 0 .0 2 8) ,LDH (2 3.0 7± 2 .6 4 ) ,与正常组比较P <0 .0 1。研究组加用 1.2 5mg/10 0ml,2 .5mg/ 10 0ml和 5mg/ 10 0ml浓度的刺五加皂甙后 ,MTT依次为 (0 .0 82 7± 0 .0 2 3) ,(0 .86 1± 0 .0 2 6 )和(0 .90 5± 0 .0 98)。LDH依次为 (2 0± 1.0 5 ) ,(18.4 1± 1.6 4 )和 (18.5 5± 3.83) ,与对照组比较P <0 .0 1～ 0 .0 5。ASS能明显提高衰老神经细胞的MTT活性 ,降低LDH的活性 ,显微镜及扫描电镜观察 ,加用刺五加皂甙保护的研究组神经细胞损伤明显减轻 ,部分细胞形态基本趋于正常。结论 :刺五加皂甙能明显提高衰老神经细胞的MTT活性 ,降低LDH活性。有效地延缓神经元细胞的衰老。     

成年大鼠神经元和星形胶质细胞细胞周期蛋白依赖性激酶抑制因子表达的差异研究

目的比较研究成年大鼠细胞周期蛋白依赖性激酶抑制因子在神经元和星形胶质细胞的表达差异。方法应用免疫荧光和激光扫描共聚焦显微镜观察成年大鼠生理状态下大脑皮层或海马CA1、CA3、DG区神经元和星形胶质细胞细胞周期蛋白依赖性激酶抑制因子(CDKI)p15Ink4b、p21cipl的表达。结果成年大鼠海马区和大脑皮层的神经元有p15Ink4b和p21cipl的表达,细胞核和细胞浆均有表达,且以胞核为主;星形胶质细胞也有上述细胞周期调控蛋白的表达,便细胞数目较少,并且表达这些指标的星形胶质细胞多聚集在海马区。结论成年大鼠大脑皮层和海马区的神经元和星形胶质细胞均表达p15Ink4b和p21cipl,而其在神经元的表达较星形胶质细胞更为普遍。     

补阳还五汤对小鼠额叶皮质神经元胞体形态影响的定量研究

用体视学方法统计饲补阳还五汤小鼠大脑额叶皮质神经元胞体、细胞核、核仁的８个有关形态参数，结果发现补阳组与对照组比较，在性成熟期胞体体密度Ｖｖ１、细胞核体密度Ｖｖ２、核仁体密度Ｖｖ３均明显减小，细胞核比表面δ３明显增大，在老年期８个参数均无明显变化。结果表明补阳还五汤有一定程度促进生长和恢复大脑功能的作用。     

海洛因成瘾大白鼠中脑腹侧被盖区超微结构变化的研究

目的　模仿人类吸毒成瘾方式建立海洛因成瘾动物模型 ,研究其中脑腹侧被盖区超微结构改变 ,为深入研究海洛因成瘾神经生物学、行为学、神经药理学、成瘾戒断治疗等奠定基础。方法　采用递增法人为建立海洛因成瘾动物模型 ,设立对照组和模型组 ,取两组动物中脑腹侧被盖区于电镜下观察超微结构改变。结果　海洛因成瘾大白鼠中脑腹侧被盖区神经元胞体、轴突、树突都出现变性、坏死、调亡等超微病理结构改变。正常对照组电镜超微影像正常。结论　海洛因成瘾大鼠脑组织出现广泛性、多发性损害 ,且以变性为主 ,神经元凋亡是海洛因成瘾致脑神经元死亡的主要形式。