Prefrontal network engagement by deep brain stimulation in limbic hubs

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Prefrontal circuits are crucial for cognitive and affective processing.
• Neuromodulation therapies target brain hubs for neuropsychiatric disorders.
• Neurophysiological effects of stimulation remain largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate neurophysiological effects of electrical stimulation on prefrontal circuits.
• Identify shared and distinct circuit responses to subcallosal cingulate (SCC) and ventral capsule/ventral striatum (VC/VS) stimulation.
• Explore personalized neurostimulation strategies.

Main Methods:

• Performed intracranial recordings in human prefrontal networks.
• Delivered electrical stimulation to SCC and VC/VS white matter hubs.
• Analyzed modulation of neural oscillations, particularly gamma activity.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated a shared frontotemporal circuit (ventromedial prefrontal cortex, amygdala, lateral orbitofrontal cortex) with differential gamma oscillation modulation based on stimulation target.
• Observed participant-specific responses in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex.
• Showcased capacity for tuning neural activity with current-steered stimulation.

Conclusions:

• Findings suggest a neurophysiological basis for dissociable therapeutic effects of SCC and VC/VS neuromodulation.
• Results provide a foundation for personalized, network-guided neurostimulation therapies.
• Highlights the importance of understanding circuit-level effects for optimizing neuromodulation treatments.