Search bioRxiv⌕ Search
Home/Archive/bioRxiv

bioRxiv · 10.1101/2022.03.12.484100

Deep brain stimulation pulse sequences to optimally modulate frequency-specific neural activity

Farooqi, H.·Vitek, J. L.·Escobar Sanabria, D.
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Precise neuromodulation systems are needed to identify the role of neural oscillatory dynamics in brain function, and to advance the development of electrical stimulation therapies tailored to each patients signature of brain dysfunction. Low-frequency, local field potentials (LFPs) are of increasing interest for the development of these systems because they reflect the synaptic inputs to a recorded neuronal population and can be chronically recorded in humans. Here, we identified stimulation pulse sequences to optimally minimize or maximize the 2-norm of frequency-specific LFP oscillations using a generalized mathematical model of spontaneous and stimulation-evoked LFP activity, and a subject-specific model of neural dynamics in the pallidum of a Parkinsons disease patient. We leveraged convex and mixed-integer optimization tools to identify the pulse patterns, and employed constraints on the pulse frequency and amplitude that are required to keep electrical stimulation within its safety envelope. Our analysis revealed that a combination of phase, amplitude, and frequency pulse modulation is needed to attain optimal suppression or amplification of the targeted oscillations. Phase modulation is sufficient to modulate oscillations with a constant amplitude envelope. To attain optimal modulation for oscillations with a time-varying envelope, a trade-off between frequency and amplitude pulse modulation is needed. The optimized pulse sequences identified here were invariant to changes in the dynamics of stimulation-evoked neural activity, including the damping and natural frequency or complexity (i.e., generalized vs. patient-specific model). Our results reveal the structure of pulse sequences that can be used in closed-loop brain stimulation devices to control neural activity in real-time. Significance StatementThis computational study reveals the structure of electrical pulse sequences that optimally modulate spontaneous, synaptic-related neural oscillations measured using local field potentials (LFPs). We considered constraints on the pulse amplitude and frequency, relevant to keep stimulation pulses within the safety envelope. Our mathematical analysis indicate that these optimized pulse sequences are invariant to changes in the studied neural dynamics, and a trade-off between amplitude and frequency pulse modulation is critical when the pulse amplitude is constrained. The pulse sequences identified here provide the rationale for the development of closed-loop neuromodulation systems that employ stimulation-evoked responses to control neural activity. These closed-loop systems will be key to characterize the role of neural activity in brain function and ultimately advance personalized neuromodulation devices.

Source connections

Explore related subjects

bioengineeringPreprint

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Farooqi, H., Vitek, J. L., Escobar Sanabria, D.. 2022-03-14. Deep brain stimulation pulse sequences to optimally modulate frequency-specific neural activity. https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.03.12.484100

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related preprints

bioRxiv2026

Comparative study of chlorophyll measurement in Physcomitrium patens moss using a conventional microscope adapted for combined 2D+1D imaging and spectral analysis

Imaging spectroscopy often requires expensive and complex equipment. Here we show a simple procedure for attaching a standard miniature fiber spectrometer to a conventional microscope, allowing easy integration of 2D imaging with 1D high-resolution spectral measurements. This combination provides much of the benefit of a full imaging spectrometer without the large equipment investment, and we provide instructions for modifying microscopes to this setup and the present measurements of living cells that demonstrate their performance. Using this setup, we compare the quantitative measurement of chlorophyll concentration in Physcomitrium patens moss using color imaging and spectral sampling.

bioengineering↗
bioRxiv2026

De novo designed single-domain antibodies protect against lethal cobra venom neurotoxicity in vivo

Generative protein design can now rapidly produce de novo binders with high affinity and functional activity against a wide range of targets, including lethal snake venom toxins. However, so far most reported successes rely on new-to-nature scaffolds with limited therapeutic precedent. Single-domain antibodies (VHHs) offer a clinically validated alternative scaffold that can bind and neutralize long-chain -neurotoxins, which are some of the most lethal components in snake venoms. Here we compare three recently established de novo design models with VHH-design capabilities (Germinal, RFantibody, and BoltzGen) for their ability to generate VHHs against the neurotoxin -cobratoxin from the monocled cobra (Naja kaouthia). Using standardized model inputs and evaluation criteria based on AlphaFold3 interface confidence (ipTM) and RMSD self-consistency, we find that Germinal was the only method to generate designs passing stringent in silico criteria for experimental testing. We therefore performed a larger Germinal design campaign employing three different VHH frameworks and experimentally validated 46 designs in vitro. Of these, 42 expressed as soluble proteins and we identified four binding hits derived from two of the three tested frameworks. Of the four binders, two lead candidates were further characterized and demonstrated high affinity (KDs of 4.1 nM and 10.8 nM), monomeric behavior and low polyreactivity, indicating favorable biophysical and developability properties, as well as functional toxin neutralization in vitro. To assess their therapeutic potential we investigated their ability to protect against -cobratoxin toxicity in vivo. Both candidates fully protected mice after -cobratoxin challenge, with 100% survival compared to a lethal control. One candidate also retained notable neutralization capacity against whole venom of Naja kaouthia with a survival of 56%, while the other protected 22% when tested in a rescue setting. Together, we demonstrate that de novo VHH design can generate high affinity single-domain antibodies with in vivo protection against lethal cobra venom neurotoxicity, and provide practical insights into method- and framework-dependent performance.

bioengineering↗
bioRxiv2026

Simple Feedback for Complex Movement: Capturing Whole-Limb Reorganization during Single-IMU Gait Retraining

Clinical gait retraining typically relies on multi-sensor arrays and high-dimensional feedback displays, imposing setup and interpretation burdens that limit routine clinical deployment. We developed a single-IMU visual biofeedback system that delivers real-time feedback of Lower Limb Trajectory Error (LLTE), a composite kinematic error metric integrating knee position and shank angle across the stance phase. Twenty able-bodied adults walked on a treadmill under two visual biofeedback targets (flexed-knee, extended-knee) while receiving either corrected (n=10) or uncorrected (n=8) feedback, where the correction accounted for limb orientation at initial contact. LLTE and stance-phase knee kinematics adapted consistently under the flexed-knee target for both feedback groups, with feedback formulation moderating the temporal trajectory of change. Adaptation toward the extended-knee target was limited, likely because participants were already operating near terminal knee extension and because the scalar error metric provided limited directional information for correction. Ankle range of motion (ROM) changed significantly across the stance phase under both target conditions, while hip ROM did not. Multiscale multivariate sample entropy (MSMVSE) increased monotonically with time scale across all conditions, with no statistically distinguishable difference between corrected and uncorrected feedback. These results suggest that single-IMU LLTE biofeedback can modify gait mechanics and that adaptation was expressed across multiple lower-limb segments rather than through changes at a single joint.

bioengineering↗