A Computational Study on the Activation of Neural Transmission in Deep Brain Stimulation.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an established treatment for neurodegenerative movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease that mitigates symptoms by overwriting pathological signals from the central nervous system to the motor system. Nearly all computational models of DBS, directly or indirectly, associate clinical improvements with the extent of fiber activation in the vicinity of the stimulating electrode. However, it is not clear how such activation modulates information transmission.

High-resolution analysis of bound Ca in neurons and synapses.

Calcium (Ca) is a well-known second messenger in all cells, and is especially relevant for neuronal activity. Neuronal Ca is found in different forms, with a minority being freely soluble in the cell and more than 99% being bound to proteins. Free Ca has received much attention over the last few decades, but protein-bound Ca has been difficult to analyze.