Chapter 7 - Neuromodulation: Deep brain stimulation, sensory neuroprostheses, and the neural-electrical interface

Although neuromodulation with implanted brain electrodes (deep brain stimulation, DBS) has been increasingly effective in treating many patients with movement disorders (e.g., advanced Parkinson's disease) over the past 20 years, the techniques have changed little for more than 50 years. After summarizing the current state of DBS, this chapter considers (1) the advances being offered by computational analysis techniques as well as (2) the benefits of monitoring and modulating brain chemical activity in addition to brain electrical activity. A review of the current state of sensory neuroprostheses follows, with consideration of emerging data on the optimal configuration of micron-sized retinal prostheses as well as on the optimal site for stimulation of cells in the retina. Very recent findings on nanotechniques to enhance charge transfer from prosthesis to cell (neuronal or glial), that is, enhancement of the neural-electrical interface, are then reviewed. The final section summarizes areas of potential cross-fertilization between those centers developing sensory neuroprostheses and those centers developing nanotechniques for DBS.