title: Disrupting neuronal transmission: mechanism of DBS?
abstract: Applying high-frequency stimulation (HFS) to deep brain structure, known as deep brain stimulation (DBS), has now been recognized an effective therapeutic option for a wide range of neurological and psychiatric disorders. DBS targeting the basal ganglia thalamo-cortical loop, especially the internal segment of the globus pallidus (GPi), subthalamic nucleus (STN) and thalamus, has been widely employed as a successful surgical therapy for movement disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, dystonia and tremor. However, the neurophysiological mechanism underling the action of DBS remains unclear and is still under debate: does DBS inhibit or excite local neuronal elements? In this review, we will examine this question and propose the alternative interpretation: DBS dissociates inputs and outputs, resulting in disruption of abnormal signal transmission.
authors.affiliation: Division of System Neurophysiology, National Institute for Physiological Sciences and Department of Physiological Sciences, Graduate University for Advanced Studies Myodaiji, Okazaki, Japan.
authors.forename: Satomi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chiken
authors.affiliation: Division of System Neurophysiology, National Institute for Physiological Sciences and Department of Physiological Sciences, Graduate University for Advanced Studies Myodaiji, Okazaki, Japan.
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nambu
keywords: basal ganglia; cortico-basal ganglia loop; deep brain stimulation; electrophysiology; globus pallidus; subthalamic nucleus