Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 25, 2026

Maturation of Human Stem Cell-derived Cardiomyocytes in Biowires Using Electrical Stimulation
Published on: May 6, 2017
Electric stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle influences sensorimotor gaiting in humans
Patricia Panther1,2, Maria Kuehne3, Jürgen Voges1
1Department of Stereotactic Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.
Background:
Prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle response, a measurement of sensorimotor gaiting, is modulated by monoaminergic, presumably dopaminergic neurotransmission. Disturbances of the dopaminergic system can cause deficient PPI as found in neuropsychiatric diseases. A target specific influence of deep brain stimulation (DBS) on PPI has been shown in animal models of neuropsychiatric disorders. In the present study, three patients with early dementia of Alzheimer type underwent DBS of the median forebrain bundle (MFB) in a compassionate use program to maintain cognitive abilities. This provided us the unique possibility to investigate the effects of different stimulation conditions of DBS of the MFB on PPI in humans.
Results:
Separate analysis of each patient consistently showed a frequency dependent pattern with a DBS-induced increase of PPI at 60 Hz and unchanged PPI at 20 or 130 Hz, as compared to sham stimulation.
Conclusions:
Our data demonstrate that electrical stimulation of the MFB modulates PPI in a frequency-dependent manner. PPI measurement could serve as a potential marker for optimization of DBS settings independent of the patient or the examiner.
More Related Videos
14:47Author Spotlight: Combined Peripheral Nerve Stimulation and Controllable Pulse Parameter Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Probe Sensorimotor Control and Learning
Published on: April 21, 2023
05:02Establishment of Acute Pontine Infarction in Rats by Electrical Stimulation
Published on: August 27, 2020
Related Concept Videos
Bioavailability: Influencing Factors
The Influence of Affect on Cognition
The Influence of Cognition on Affect
Determining Electric Field From Electric Potential
In general, regardless of whether the electric field is uniform, it points in the direction of decreasing potential because the force on a positive...
Finding Electric Potential From Electric Field
Biological Influences on Intelligence