Controlling the Flow of Electrical Charges

Abstract

In depolarization to effect neuronal activations,, electrical charges are delivered to the neuron to affect the electrical potential across the neuronal membrane to subsequently affect voltage-gated ionic conductance channels. The orientation of the field of electrical charges to the neuronal membrane is critical. Electrical charges flow from the negative contact to the positive contact. The negative electrostatic charge “pushes” negative charges onto the outer surface of the neuron, which results in depolarization of the neuronal membrane. Neurons near the positive contact will not have negative electrical charges deposited on the outer surface, will not be depolarized, and thus, are not activated. Likewise, neurons whose membranes are oriented parallel to the lines of electrical forces that move electrical charges will not receive the electrical charges and, consequently, will not be activated. The electronics of the DBS systems are designed to control the electrostatic forces so as to control the activations of the nervous system to generate benefit and avoid adverse effects.