Current density behavior during DBS

Abstract

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is the stimulation of the brain through an implanted device that delivers electrical impulses to treat disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. Understanding the spatiotemporal distribution of current density formed from these electrical impulses is imperative in understanding the patterns of neural excitation, the extent of damage on brain tissue, and electrode corrosion. Previous DBS models simulating current density have not considered the effect of the impedance from the electrode-electrolyte interface, instead representing the metal electrode as a perfect voltage source in direct contact with surrounding conductive tissue. This study aims to investigate the effect of the electrode-electrolyte interface on the current density distribution in response to DBS electrical stimulation in the form of monophasic pulses.