"To better understand the direct effects of DBS (Deep brain stimulation) on central neurons, a computational model of a myelinated axon has been constructed which includes the effects of K+ accumulation within the peri-axonal space.
Using best estimates of anatomic and electrogenic model parameters for in vivo STN axons, the model predicts a functional block along the axon due to K+ accumulation in the submyelin space.
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These results suggest that therapeutic DBS of the STN likely results in a functional block for many STN axons, although a subset of STN axons may also be activated at the stimulating frequency.
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Reference:
1 .
Bellinger SC, Miyazawa G, Steinmetz PN (2008) Submyelin potassium accumulation may functionally block subsets of local axons during deep brain stimulation: a modeling study. J Neural Eng 5:263-74 [PubMed]
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