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Ionic Direct Current Enables Millimeter- and Millisecond-Scale Cortical Gain Control in vivo
Runming Wang1, Gene Fridman1,2
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|July 16, 2025
Summary
Ionic direct current (iDC) precisely controls brain excitability in rats, enhancing or suppressing neural responses. This method offers a new tool for studying brain circuits and developing therapies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Computational Neuroscience
Background:
- Cortical network excitability is crucial for processing sensory input.
- Existing methods for modulating excitability lack temporal and spatial precision.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the use of ionic direct current (iDC) for precise, real-time modulation of cortical excitability.
- To explore the mechanisms underlying iDC-induced changes in neural responses.
Main Methods:
- Applied iDC with high temporal (sub-10 ms) and spatial (submillimeter) resolution to the rat S1HL cortex.
- Recorded laminar neural responses to spontaneous delta oscillations and evoked foot stimulation.
- Utilized a computational model to simulate and interpret the effects of iDC.
Main Results:
- Cathodic iDC suppressed and anodic iDC enhanced evoked neural responses.
- iDC modulated the spatiotemporal excitability pattern in a graded manner.
- Computational modeling suggested dendritic summation at the axon initial segment (AIS) as a key mechanism.
Conclusions:
- iDC provides a powerful tool for precise, causal manipulation of cortical responsiveness in vivo.
- This technique facilitates the dissection of functional neural circuits.
- iDC offers a platform for developing targeted neurotherapeutic interventions.
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