The difference between electrical microstimulation and direct electrical stimulation - towards new opportunities for...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neurosurgery
• Biophysics

Background:

• Electrical microstimulation (EMS) is used in animal neuroscience research, while direct electrical stimulation (DES) is applied in human neurosurgery.
• Both techniques aim for functional brain mapping, but their parameters and effects are often misunderstood.
• DES is debated as the 'gold standard' for brain function studies during awake surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare electrical microstimulation (EMS) and direct electrical stimulation (DES) in functional brain mapping.
• To clarify the differences in stimulation parameters and their effects on nervous tissues and behavior.
• To identify limitations in current electrical stimulation protocols and suggest future directions.

Main Methods:

• Comparative review of existing literature on EMS and DES.
• Analysis of stimulation parameters and their biophysical rationale.
• Discussion of historical, methodological, and technical constraints.

Main Results:

• EMS and DES employ distinct stimulation parameters and yield different effects.
• There is a lack of robust biophysical justification for current EMS and DES parameter settings.
• Methodological and technical limitations have led to empirical approaches in setting parameters.

Conclusions:

• The disparities between EMS and DES indicate opportunities for novel electrical stimulation paradigms.
• Current practices in setting stimulation parameters are often empirical rather than theoretically driven.
• Future research should explore innovative protocols, potentially including functional peripheral nerve stimulation, which has a stronger theoretical basis.