Introduction From the first reported applications in pain ( ), the indications for neuromodulation have broadened over the years to movement disorders, epilepsy, spasticity, and psychiatric disorders ( ). Neurostimulation systems consist of metallic electrode contacts (either paddle or cylindrical…
Introduction The activation of neurons using electrical stimulation is a well-recognized phenomenon and has multiple clinical applications. However, the use of electrical currents to block the conduction of action potentials in peripheral nerves is a more recent discovery and has…
Introduction The immediate and dramatic improvements seen seconds after deep brain stimulation (DBS) in a patient with essential tremor or Parkinson disease, combined with the rapid return of symptoms following DBS shutoff, suggest that its mechanism of action involves modulation…
Acknowledgments Preparation of this chapter was supported in part by Grants R37 NS040894 and R01 NS050514 from the US National Institutes of Health. Introduction The primary requirement for a stimulation waveform is the ability to excite or activate neurons or…
Introduction When considering the safety requirements for electrical stimulation–based neuromodulation, a common misconception is that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the European Union notified bodies require that an implantable medical device be 100% safe and cause no…
In the context of neuromodulation and neuroprosthetics, electrical stimulation is applied to restore function to people who are unable to move, see, or hear or to alter behavior such as seen in a variety of disorders of motor, sensory, and…
Introduction – The BRAIN Initiative Launched in April , the White House Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative is a “bold new research effort to revolutionize our understanding of the human mind and uncover new ways to treat,…
Introduction Neuromodulation, defined by the International Neuromodulation Society as “the alteration of nerve activity through targeted delivery of a stimulus, such as electrical stimulation or chemical agents, to specific neurological sites in the body” ( ), has been in use…
Gross Structures Brain The nervous system is divided into central and peripheral divisions, along with the separate autonomic system. The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord, while the peripheral nervous system consists of the nerves to…
Introduction The collection of topics in this volume gives evidence that neuromodulation has transcended the treatment of pain. Activity of visceral structures, psychiatric disorders, and movement disorders have emerged as viable therapeutic targets. Advances in technology have led to the…