About this Research Topic
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is familiar to neurosurgeons as a treatment for movement disorders, epilepsy and obsessive compulsive disorder. The field is expanding and new uses for DBS are being investigated across the world for indications such as chronic pain and Alzheimer's disease.
DBS offers unique human brain research opportunities to neuroscientists since DBS involves the placement of electrodes in targets below the cortex, such as the basal ganglia, anterior cingulate cortex and thalamus. Electrical stimulation can be delivered or electrical signals recorded from these areas. These target areas can be challenging to access non-invasively in humans. Although DBS was based on lesion surgeries before the 60s revolution in neuropharmacology, DBS is not the same as lesion surgery. Stimulation is likely to have effects on target brain areas related to stimulation parameters used and is likely to have downstream effects on the connectome associated with stimulated areas. The latest generation of stimulation devices (implantable pulse generators) now have the capacity to sense voltage(time) signals as well as deliver stimulation, opening up new possibilities for research.
We can study neurological functions in awake humans undergoing DBS surgery using techniques such as structural and functional MRI, or voltage(time) recordings either from intracranial leads, implantable pulse generators or EEG. Human subjects can perform tasks during these studies, allowing functions of the human brain to be explored in real time.
The latest generation of DBS devices are MRI compatible, opening up the possibility of functional MRI on and off stimulation.
We think the developments in DBS technology and research know-how are opening up exciting new vistas on the mechanisms of functions of the human brain.
We welcome research from DBS groups where the possibilities for research using DBS have been used to further understanding of the human brain.
Topic Editor Dr. Alexander Green is a founding member of Amber Therapeutics. The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject.
DBS offers unique human brain research opportunities to neuroscientists since DBS involves the placement of electrodes in targets below the cortex, such as the basal ganglia, anterior cingulate cortex and thalamus. Electrical stimulation can be delivered or electrical signals recorded from these areas. These target areas can be challenging to access non-invasively in humans. Although DBS was based on lesion surgeries before the 60s revolution in neuropharmacology, DBS is not the same as lesion surgery. Stimulation is likely to have effects on target brain areas related to stimulation parameters used and is likely to have downstream effects on the connectome associated with stimulated areas. The latest generation of stimulation devices (implantable pulse generators) now have the capacity to sense voltage(time) signals as well as deliver stimulation, opening up new possibilities for research.
We can study neurological functions in awake humans undergoing DBS surgery using techniques such as structural and functional MRI, or voltage(time) recordings either from intracranial leads, implantable pulse generators or EEG. Human subjects can perform tasks during these studies, allowing functions of the human brain to be explored in real time.
The latest generation of DBS devices are MRI compatible, opening up the possibility of functional MRI on and off stimulation.
We think the developments in DBS technology and research know-how are opening up exciting new vistas on the mechanisms of functions of the human brain.
We welcome research from DBS groups where the possibilities for research using DBS have been used to further understanding of the human brain.
Topic Editor Dr. Alexander Green is a founding member of Amber Therapeutics. The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject.
Keywords: Human Neurophysiology, Deep Brain Stimulation, Large-Scale Brain Networks, Movement Disorders, Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Epilepsy, Neuropathic Pain
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