Solenoidal Micromagnetic Stimulation Enables Activation of Axons With Specific Orientation

• DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00724
• Publication Date: 2018-07-27T00:24:33Z
• Authors: Laleh Golestanirad; John T. Gale; Nauman F. Manzoor; Hyun-Joo Park; Lyall Glait; Frederick Haer; James A. Kaltenbach; Giorgio Bonmassar
• Keywords: Stimulus (psychology); Microstimulation

Electrical stimulation of the central and peripheral nervous systems - such as deep brain stimulation, spinal cord epidural cortical are common therapeutic options increasingly used to treat a large variety neurological psychiatric conditions. Despite their remarkable success, there limitations which if overcome, could enhance outcomes potentially reduce side-effects. Micromagnetic (μMS) was introduced address some these limitations. One most properties is that μMS theoretically capable activating neurons with specific axonal orientations. Here, we computational electromagnetic models coils adjacent neuronal tissue combined axon cable investigate orientation-specific properties. We found 20-fold reduction in threshold preferred orientation compared orthogonal direction. also studied directional specificity by recording responses evoked inferior colliculus rodents when pulsed magnetic stimulus applied surface dorsal cochlear nucleus. The results confirmed were highly sensitive changes coil orientation. Accordingly, our suggest has potential stimulating target nuclei without affecting surrounding white matter tracts.