Computational study to investigate the effect of weak electric fields on the (de)synchronization of cortical motor neurons
Maud Bosman (EEMCS-BSS) (Master thesis), Bettina Schwab (EEMCS-BSS)
Abstract
Introduction
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is effective in treating the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD), however, its therapeutic mechanism is still under discussion. We hypothesize that weak electric fields desynchronize cortical neurons in the motor cortex, and are essential in understanding this mechanism. For low-frequency brain stimulation (i.e. TACS), experimental and computational studies show desynchronization by low-amplitude electric fields. In this study, we use computational models to investigate the effect of high-frequency (> 100 Hz) electric fields with low amplitudes (< 1 V/m) on the (de)synchronization of cortical motor neurons.
Method
We simulate a simple oscillator model (Stuart-Landau model) to predict the behaviour of a neural population. The effect of an external drive on the amplitude of this oscillator is investigated.
To look at the effect on single cells, we use morphologically realistic neural models with an applied external electric field.
Preliminary results The (de)synchronization pattern of the Stuart Landau oscillator is dependent on the frequency of the oscillator itself and the external drive. In specific frequency regimes, low amplitudes exhibit desynchronization, while increasing amplitudes result in synchronization. However, this relationship is not consistently observable across all frequency settings
Conclusion The Stuart-landau model shows some first evidence for desynchronization caused by low amplitudes, however, we can not explain the whole (de)synchronization pattern. Currently, we are implementing single-cell models to further investigate the effect of weak fields on the (de)synchronization of neurons.