Realistic Biophysical Modeling of Deep Brain Stimulation

描述（由申请人提供）：脑深部电刺激（DBS）已迅速成为治疗难治性运动障碍的既定疗法。然而，目前的DBS技术的电极靶向和刺激参数选择不考虑生物物理学的神经刺激。我们目前正在开发一种集成的患者特定建模方法，该方法将为临床医生提供刺激期间激活的组织体积的现实估计。这些模型中有各种基本假设，这些假设的影响尚不清楚。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DBS的神经反应中均起着重要作用。我们将评估这些生物物理特征的影响与三维有限元模型（FEM）的帮助下，集成了详细的大脑形态，组织电导率和电极特性与创新的傅立叶FEM求解器。该系统有可能通过改善靶点和轨迹选择、缩短手术时间、最大化刺激受益同时最小化副作用来改善患者结局。

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.