Theory and Physiology of Electrical Stimulation of the Central Nervous System
Electrical stimulation is a widespread method to study the form and function of the nervous system and a technique to restore function following disease or injury. Central nervous system (CNS) includes the brain and spinal cord. This chapter presents a review of the properties of CNS stimulation as required for rational design and interpretation of therapies employing electrical stimulation. Spatial variations in the electrical properties of the tissue can cause changes in the patterns of activation. Electrical circuits are used to model the electrical behavior of neurons. Electrical stimulation is used to study the form and function of the nervous system and a technique to restore function following disease or injury. During CNS stimulation action potentials are initiated in the axons of local cells, even for electrodes positioned over the cell body. Threshold dierence between cathodic and anodic stimuli arises due to dierences in the mode of activation.
