Hepatic Neuromodulation Using Temporal Interference

This study explores non-invasive Temporal Interference (TI) for hepatic neuromodulation. Leveraging targeted electric fields to the hepatic plexus using distinct high-frequency carrier and envelope frequencies, we investigate the short-term modulation of glucose fluctuations in relation to stimulation parameters and electrode placement on the abdomen of anaesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats. Computational simulations assisted experimental interventions. In both front and back electrode placement, low-frequency modulation (4Hz) elicited decreasing glucose trends, while higher frequencies (14Hz or 40Hz) induced increasing trends. Targeted stimulation, confirmed visually using a recording needle placed at the hepatic plexus, resulted in a higher percentage of decreasing trends at 4 and 14Hz, with 40Hz showing no meaningful changes. Responsive protocols are less than half in both setups, possibly due to short stimulation duration. This pilot study serves as a foundation to guide TI stimulation protocols to assess their impact on glucose levels in longer experiments under anaesthesia or awake setups and opens avenues for the study of non-invasive alternatives to tackle metabolic conditions.