Modeling trans-spinal direct current stimulation for the modulation of the lumbar spinal motor pathways
- PMID: 28631619
- DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/aa7960
Modeling trans-spinal direct current stimulation for the modulation of the lumbar spinal motor pathways
Abstract
Objective: Trans-spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) is a potential new technique for the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI). TsDCS aims to facilitate plastic changes in the neural pathways of the spinal cord with a positive effect on SCI recovery. To establish tsDCS as a possible treatment option for SCI, it is essential to gain a better understanding of its cause and effects. We seek to understand the acute effect of tsDCS, including the generated electric field (EF) and its polarization effect on the spinal circuits, to determine a cellular target. We further ask how these findings can be interpreted to explain published experimental results.
Approach: We use a realistic full body finite element volume conductor model to calculate the EF of a 2.5 mA direct current for three different electrode configurations. We apply the calculated electric field to realistic motoneuron models to investigate static changes in membrane resting potential. The results are combined with existing knowledge about the theoretical effect on a neuronal level and implemented into an existing lumbar spinal network model to simulate the resulting changes on a network level.
Main results: Across electrode configurations, the maximum EF inside the spinal cord ranged from 0.47 V m-1 to 0.82 V m-1. Axon terminal polarization was identified to be the dominant cellular target. Also, differences in electrode placement have a large influence on axon terminal polarization. Comparison between the simulated acute effects and the electrophysiological long-term changes observed in human tsDCS studies suggest an inverse relationship between the two.
Significance: We provide methods and knowledge for better understanding the effects of tsDCS and serve as a basis for a more targeted and optimized application of tsDCS.
Similar articles
-
Modeling Electric Fields in Transcutaneous Spinal Direct Current Stimulation: A Clinical Perspective.Biomedicines. 2023 Apr 26;11(5):1283. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines11051283. Biomedicines. 2023. PMID: 37238953 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Modelling Studies of Non-invasive Electric and Magnetic Stimulation of the Spinal Cord.2020 Aug 6. In: Makarov SN, Noetscher GM, Nummenmaa A, editors. Brain and Human Body Modeling 2020: Computational Human Models Presented at EMBC 2019 and the BRAIN Initiative® 2019 Meeting [Internet]. Cham (CH): Springer; 2021. 2020 Aug 6. In: Makarov SN, Noetscher GM, Nummenmaa A, editors. Brain and Human Body Modeling 2020: Computational Human Models Presented at EMBC 2019 and the BRAIN Initiative® 2019 Meeting [Internet]. Cham (CH): Springer; 2021. PMID: 32966023 Free Books & Documents. Review.
-
Neuromodulation of lower limb motor responses with transcutaneous lumbar spinal cord direct current stimulation.Clin Neurophysiol. 2018 Sep;129(9):1999-2009. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2018.07.002. Epub 2018 Jul 11. Clin Neurophysiol. 2018. PMID: 30041145 Clinical Trial.
-
Transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation of the lumbar and sacral spinal cord: a modelling study.J Neural Eng. 2018 Jun;15(3):036008. doi: 10.1088/1741-2552/aaac38. Epub 2018 Feb 9. J Neural Eng. 2018. PMID: 29386408
-
Modeling the current density generated by transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS).Clin Neurophysiol. 2014 Nov;125(11):2260-2270. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2014.02.027. Epub 2014 Apr 3. Clin Neurophysiol. 2014. PMID: 24784477
Cited by
-
Transspinal Direct Current Electrical Stimulation Selectively Affects the Excitability of the Corticospinal System, Depending on the Intensity but Not Motor Skills.Life (Basel). 2023 Dec 16;13(12):2353. doi: 10.3390/life13122353. Life (Basel). 2023. PMID: 38137954 Free PMC article.
-
Effect of non-invasive spinal cord stimulation in unmedicated adults with major depressive disorder: a pilot randomized controlled trial and induced current flow pattern.Mol Psychiatry. 2024 Mar;29(3):580-589. doi: 10.1038/s41380-023-02349-9. Epub 2023 Dec 20. Mol Psychiatry. 2024. PMID: 38123726 Free PMC article. Clinical Trial.
-
Modeling Electric Fields in Transcutaneous Spinal Direct Current Stimulation: A Clinical Perspective.Biomedicines. 2023 Apr 26;11(5):1283. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines11051283. Biomedicines. 2023. PMID: 37238953 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Lumbar trans-spinal direct current stimulation: A modeling-experimental approach to dorsal root ganglia stimulation.Front Neurosci. 2022 Dec 8;16:1041932. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1041932. eCollection 2022. Front Neurosci. 2022. PMID: 36570853 Free PMC article.
-
Anodal transcutaneous DC stimulation enhances learning of dynamic balance control during walking in humans with spinal cord injury.Exp Brain Res. 2022 Aug;240(7-8):1943-1955. doi: 10.1007/s00221-022-06388-6. Epub 2022 May 27. Exp Brain Res. 2022. PMID: 35622090 Free PMC article.
Publication types
MeSH terms
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Other Literature Sources