Model-based analysis of deep brain stimulation of the thalamus
High-frequency (∼150 Hz) deep brain stimulation (DBS) represents a rapidly emerging therapy in the treatment of medically refractory movement disorders. However, fundamental questions remain about the effects of DBS at both the single cell and network levels. We determined the effects of high frequency stimulation of the thalamus using the combination of a finite element model of the DBS electrode, a multi-compartment cable model of a thalamocortical relay neuron, and a large-scale neural network model of the thalamocortical system. The results show that DBS has an excitatory effect on neural elements near the electrode, and this thalamic excitation results in increased cortical activity. This study supports the hypothesis of excitation-induced changes in network activity as a therapeutic mechanism of DBS.
