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Electrophysiology equipment for reliable study of kHz electrical stimulation
Author(s) -
FallahRad Mohamad,
Zannou Adantchede Louis,
Khadka Niranjan,
Prescott Steven A.,
Ratté Stéphanie,
Zhang Tianhe,
Esteller Rosana,
Hershey Brad,
Bikson Marom
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1113/jp277654
Subject(s) - electrophysiology , stimulation , neurophysiology , duty cycle , neuroscience , neuromodulation , amplifier , microelectrode , biomedical engineering , computer science , medicine , electrical engineering , chemistry , psychology , voltage , electrode , engineering , telecommunications , bandwidth (computing)
Abstract Characterizing the cellular targets of kHz (1–10 kHz) electrical stimulation remains a pressing topic in neuromodulation because expanding interest in clinical application of kHz stimulation has surpassed mechanistic understanding. The presumed cellular targets of brain stimulation do not respond to kHz frequencies according to conventional electrophysiology theory. Specifically, the low‐pass characteristics of cell membranes are predicted to render kHz stimulation inert, especially given the use of limited‐duty‐cycle biphasic pulses. Precisely because kHz frequencies are considered supra‐physiological, conventional instruments designed for neurophysiological studies such as stimulators, amplifiers and recording microelectrodes do not operate reliably at these high rates. Moreover, for pulsed waveforms, the signal frequency content is well above the pulse repetition rate. Thus, the very tools used to characterize the effects of kHz electrical stimulation may themselves be confounding factors. We illustrate custom equipment design that supports reliable electrophysiological recording during kHz‐rate stimulation. Given the increased importance of kHz stimulation in clinical domains and compelling possibilities that mechanisms of actions may reflect yet undiscovered neurophysiological phenomena, attention to suitable performance of electrophysiological equipment is pivotal.