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Differences of Intracranial Electrical Stimulation Thresholds in the Human Brain
1Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Robert-Koch-Strasse 40, 37075 Goettingen, Germany; The Neurological Institute, Departments of Neurology, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, 44106 OH, USA.
Brain Stimulation
|April 6, 2015
Summary
Electrical brain stimulation thresholds differ between cortical and subcortical areas. Lower currents are needed for white matter tracts than for the cortex, impacting epilepsy surgery mapping.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurosurgery
- Epileptology
Background:
- Intracranial electrical stimulation mapping is crucial for epilepsy surgery.
- Variability in current thresholds for evoking clinical responses is observed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate systematic variations in threshold currents across different brain regions.
- To determine if brain area influences stimulation intensity requirements.
Main Methods:
- Depth electrodes were used in epilepsy patients undergoing presurgical evaluation.
- Electrical stimulation was applied to electrode contacts in the insular cortex, pericentral cortex, and white matter.
Main Results:
- Significantly lower current intensities evoked clinical responses in subcortical white matter tracts compared to cortical areas.
- This indicates a distinct difference in stimulation excitability between grey and white matter.
Conclusions:
- Systematic differences in threshold stimulation intensities exist between cortical and subcortical human brain structures.
- These differences may stem from neurophysiologic properties, white matter tract orientation, and regional brain characteristics.
