Exploring Deep Brain Stimulation Effects in a Hyperbolic-Based Computational Model of Neuronal Spiking Patterns

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a device that relies on methods to desynchronize adverse neurodegenerative activities within the brain. It is a well-known treatment method for people diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD). The adjustment of a precise definition of DBS signal parameters is critical to breaking the synchrony and burst of the increased neuronal activity, while preventing tissue or electrode damage, and also considering reducing the energy consumption for prolonging the battery life of the DBS device. In this research in progress, we study a pulse DBS waveform with delay between its cathodic and anodic parts to disrupt and desynchronize the firing/bursting patterns of Parkinsonian neuronal cell activities. We use a hyperbolic neuronal spiking pattern model to represent the signal activity of the brain. Specifically, we model a neuron infected with bursting behavior similar to that of PD, and apply DBS current to observe the effect, computationally. The expected output of applying the proposed pulse delayed DBS waveform is to break the bursting pattern and convert the bursting spike into a regular tonic spike. In addition, the promising results of pulse delayed waveforms in terms of eliciting action potential, desynchronization of the bursting behavior, and reduced energy consumption, can potentially enhance the performance of the applied DBS.