High density multielectrode arrays with spatially selective unidirectional and rotating fields for investigation of neuronal networks

University Of Minnesota, Minneapolis MN

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Abstract

In response to the BRAIN initiative RFA-NS-17-003 ?New Technologies and Novel Approaches for Large-Scale Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (U01)?, in this project we aim at accomplishing selective stimulation and recordings at ultra-high cellular level spatial resolution of distinct axonal bundles with different orientations during deep brain stimulation (DBS). This goal will be accomplished by utilizing high density multielectrode arrays with 1250 independent electrodes/mm2 for large scale stimulation and electrophysiological recording of neuronal populations. The fundamentally novel stimulation paradigms will revolutionize neuromodulation strategies by implementing amplitude modulated waveforms delivered to each channel independently and with different phases among channels. Our novel DBS system can be configured not only to generate unidirectional fields for orientation-selective stimulation, but also to produce rotating electrical field gradients for modulation of neuronal activity regardless of axon orientations. The latter concept is entitled here rotating field phase steering (RFPS). Our main objective is to establish proof-of- concept of our new electrode design combined with our novel paradigms of stimulation in the rat brain. Our strategy is to manufacture high density microelectrode array and conduct extensive modeling/simulations (Aim 1). Experimental testing will be conducted in both anaesthetized (Aim 2) and awake (Aim 3) rats. We will specifically focus on the rat brain area that is homologous to the human subgenual cingulate cortex (sgACC), a key nucleus associated with depression. Since the sgACC is characterized by a crossroad of several fiber tracts, its stimulation by our novel orientation-selective and rotating DBS paradigms will allow us to test the efficacy of our new DBS concept to activate distinct neuronal pathways. Animal experiments will utilize the new DBS technology in combination with electrophysiological recording, functional MRI (fMRI) and resting state- fMRI (rs-fMRI) for measuring neuronal networks during the novel DBS paradigms. Since MRI is particularly challenging during DBS because of electrode-induced field distortions on the MRI images, another critical innovation of our project relies on the utilization of multi-band sweeping frequency with Fourier transformation (MB-SWIFT) MRI technique which has minimal sensitivity to magnetic susceptibility artifacts originating from implanted electrode even at ultra-high magnetic fields. Because MB-SWIFT is a silent technique, it is optimal for fMRI of awake behaving animals. Using MB-SWIFT, we will conduct rs-fMRI studies of head-fixed behaving animals with implanted stimulation/recording electrodes and chronically implanted RF coils. The immediate impact of this proposal is to form a strong program at the University of Minnesota, Columbia University and A.I. Virtanen Institute (Finland) for investigating our innovative DBS approaches using MRI on animals. The knowledge gained will be critical for addressing the current shortcomings in current DBS technology and advance understanding of DBS mechanisms in humans.