Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation: Basic Concepts and Novel Perspectives.

Over the last decades, extensive basic and clinical knowledge has been acquired on the use of subthalamic nucleus (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's disease (PD). It is now clear that mechanisms involved in the effects of this therapy are far more complex than previously anticipated. At frequencies commonly used in clinical practice, neural elements may be excited or inhibited and novel dynamic states of equilibrium are reached.

Deep Brain Stimulation: More Complex than the Inhibition of Cells and Excitation of Fibers.

High-frequency deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective treatment for some movement disorders. Though mechanisms underlying DBS are still unclear, commonly accepted theories include a "functional inhibition" of neuronal cell bodies and the excitation of axonal projections near the electrodes. It is becoming clear, however, that the paradoxical dissociation "local inhibition" and "distant excitation" is far more complex than initially thought.

The role of extracellular potassium dynamics in the different stages of ictal bursting and spreading depression: a computational study.

Experimental evidences point out the participation of nonsynaptic mechanisms (e.g., fluctuations in extracellular ions) in epileptiform bursting and spreading depression (SD).