A framework for designing data-driven optimization systems for neural modulation

Abstract

Objective. Neural modulation is a fundamental tool for understanding and treating neurological and psychiatric diseases. However, due to the high-dimensional space, subject-specific responses, and variability within each subject, it is a major challenge to select the stimulation parameters that have the desired effect. Data-driven optimization provides a range of different algorithms and tools for addressing this challenge, but each of these algorithms has specific strengths and limitations, and therefore must be carefully designed for a given neural modulation problem. Here we present a framework for designing data-driven optimization algorithms for neural modulation. Approach. We develop this framework using an optogenetic medial septum stimulation model, where the goal is to find the stimulation parameters that modulate hippocampal gamma power to a desired value. This framework proceeds in four steps: (a) collecting stimulation data, (b) creating high-throughput simulation models, (c) prototyping a range of different data-driven optimization algorithms and evaluating their performance, and (d) deploying the best performing algorithm in vivo. Main results. Following this framework, we prototype and design an algorithm specifically for finding the medial septum optogenetic stimulation parameters that maximize hippocampal gamma power. Building on this, we then change our objective function to find the stimulation parameters that modulate gamma to a specific setpoint, use the framework to understand and anticipate the results before deploying in vivo. Significance. We show that this framework can be used to design an effective optimization solution for a specific neural modulation problem, and discuss how it can potentially be applied beyond the optogenetic medial septum stimulation model.