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Updated: Jun 4, 2026
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Chronic Transcranial Electrical Stimulation and Intracortical Recording in Rats
Published on: May 11, 2018
Intra-operative subcortical electrical stimulation: a comparison of two methods
A Szelényi1, C Senft, M Jardan
1Department of Neurosurgery, Johann-Wolfgang Goethe-University Hospital, Frankfurt/Main, Germany. A.Szelenyi@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Summary
Monopolar multipulse stimulation is most effective for identifying the corticospinal tract during surgery. This technique requires lower stimulation intensities and elicits motor evoked potentials (MEPs) in more patients compared to other methods.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Neurophysiology
- Electrical Stimulation
Background:
- Intra-operative subcortical electrical stimulation is crucial for mapping the corticospinal tract.
- Two primary techniques exist: 50-Hz stimulation and multipulse train stimulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of 50-Hz and multipulse stimulation techniques.
- To evaluate bipolar versus monopolar probe configurations for eliciting motor evoked potentials (MEPs).
Main Methods:
- 20 patients undergoing tumor resection were studied under general anesthesia.
- Both 50-Hz and multipulse stimulation were applied using bipolar and monopolar probes.
- Stimulation intensities required for MEPs were recorded and compared.
Main Results:
- Monopolar multipulse stimulation required the lowest intensity (8±3.9 mA) to elicit MEPs.
- Monopolar stimulation elicited MEPs in a significantly higher number of patients than bipolar stimulation (p<0.0001).
- Monopolar 50-Hz stimulation (12±5.4 mA) was more effective than bipolar methods.
Conclusions:
- Monopolar multipulse stimulation is the most efficient technique for identifying the corticospinal tract.
- The superior performance is attributed to the more radiant electric field of the monopolar probe.
- This finding aids in optimizing intra-operative neurophysiological monitoring.
