Realistic Biophysical Modeling of Deep Brain Stimulation

描述（由申请人提供）：脑深部刺激（DBS）已迅速成为治疗医学上难治性运动障碍的一种成熟疗法。然而，目前用于电极定位和刺激参数选择的DBS技术并没有考虑到神经刺激的生物物理学。我们目前正在开发一种综合的患者特异性建模方法，该方法将为临床医生提供在刺激过程中激活的组织体积的现实估计。在这些模型中有各种各样的基本假设，这些假设的影响是不清楚的。本研究的主要假设是，大脑的3D电导率和电极-组织界面的电容在脑起搏器的神经反应中都起着重要作用。我们将借助3D有限元模型（FEM）来评估这些生物物理特征的影响，该模型将详细的脑形态、组织电导率和电极特性与创新的傅立叶有限元求解器集成在一起。该系统通过改善靶点和轨迹选择、缩短手术时间、最大化刺激效益同时最小化副作用，有可能改善患者的预后。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has quickly emerged as an established therapy for the treatment of medically refractory movement disorders. However, current DBS techniques for electrode targeting and stimulation parameter selection do not account for the biophysics of neural stimulation. We are currently developing an integrated patient-specific modeling approach that will provide the clinician with realistic estimates of the volume of tissue activated during stimulation. There are a variety of fundamental assumptions that are made in these models, and the effects of these assumptions are unclear. The principal hypothesis of this study is that the 3D conductivity of the brain and the capacitance of the electrode-tissue interface each play a fundamental role in the neural response to DBS. We will evaluate the effects of these biophysical features with the aid of a 3D finite element model (FEM) that integrates detailed brain morphology, tissue conductivity and electrode properties with an innovative Fourier FEM solver. This system has the potential to improve patient outcomes by improving target and trajectory selection, reducing time in surgery, and maximizing stimulation benefit while minimizing side effects.