Potential Oscillations Research Articles

Subthalamic nucleus synchronization between beta band local field potential and single-unit activity in Parkinson's disease.

Local field potential (LFP) oscillations in the beta band (13-30 Hz) in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) of Parkinson's disease patients have been implicated in disease severity and treatment response. The relationship between single-neuron activity in the STN and regional beta power changes remains unclear. We used spike-triggered average (STA) to assess beta synchronization in STN. Beta power and STA magnitude at the beta frequency range were compared in three conditions: STN versus other subcortical structures, dorsal versus ventral STN, and high versus low beta power STN recordings. Magnitude of STA-LFP was greater within the STN compared to extra-STN structures along the trajectory path, despite no difference in percentage of the total power. Within the STN, there was a higher percent beta power in dorsal compared to ventral STN but no difference in STA-LFP magnitude. Further refining the comparison to high versus low beta peak power recordings inside the STN to evaluate if single-unit activity synchronized more strongly with beta band activity in areas of high beta power resulted in a significantly higher STA magnitude for areas of high beta power. Overall, these results suggest that STN single units strongly synchronize to beta activity, particularly units in areas ofhigh beta power.

Auditory competition and coding of relative stimulus strength across midbrain space maps of Barn Owls.

The natural environment challenges the brain to prioritize the processing of salient stimuli. The barn owl, a sound localization specialist, exhibits a circuit called the midbrain stimulus selection network, dedicated to representing locations of the most salient stimulus in circumstances of concurrent stimuli. Previous competition studies using unimodal (visual) and bimodal (visual and auditory) stimuli have shown that relative strength is encoded in spike response rates. However, open questions remain concerning auditory-auditory competition on coding. To this end, we presented diverse auditory competitors (concurrent flat noise and amplitude modulated noise) and recorded neural responses of awake barn owls of both sexes in subsequent midbrain space maps, the external nucleus of the inferior colliculus (ICx) and optic tectum (OT). While both ICx and OT exhibit a topographic map of auditory space, OT also integrates visual input and is part of the global-inhibitory midbrain stimulus selection network. Through comparative investigation of these regions, we show that while increasing strength of a competitor sound decreases spike response rates of spatially distant neurons in both regions, relative strength determines spike train synchrony of nearby units only in OT. Furthermore, changes in synchrony by sound competition in OT are correlated to gamma range oscillations of local field potentials (LFPs), associated with input from the midbrain stimulus selection network. The results of this investigation suggest that modulations in spiking synchrony between units by gamma oscillations are an emergent coding scheme representing relative strength of concurrent stimuli, which may have relevant implications for downstream read out.Significance Statement While natural auditory scenes are comprised of many acoustic signals, the brain is capable of segregating sources, and prioritizing representation of the most salient sound. This study demonstrates that midbrain space map neurons in the owl's optic tectum, homologue to the superior colliculus, represent relative strength of concurrent auditory stimuli by modulating inter-neuronal spike train synchrony. This synchrony correlates strongly with the low gamma range LFP, which reflects inputs from a midbrain stimulus selection network. These results may provide insight to similar processes in mammalian superior colliculus and human audition where the most relevant auditory signals must be prioritized in complex noisy environments and may inform optimization strategies for hearing aids.

Perturbing cortical networks: in vivo electrophysiological consequences of pan-neuronal chemogenetic manipulations using deschloroclozapine

IntroductionChemogenetic techniques, specifically the use of Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs), have become invaluable tools in neuroscience research. Yet, the understanding of how Gq- and Gicoupled DREADDs alter local field potential (LFP) oscillations in vivo remains incomplete.MethodsThis study investigates the in vivo electrophysiological effects of DREADD actuation by deschloroclozapine, on spontaneous firing rate and LFP oscillations recorded from the anterior cingulate cortex in lightly anesthetized male rats.ResultsUnexpectedly, in response to the administration of deschloroclozapine, we observed inhibitory effects with pan-neuronal hM3D(Gq) stimulation, and excitatory effects with pan-neuronal hM4D(Gi) stimulation in a significant portion of neurons. These results emphasize the need to account for indirect perturbation effects at the local neuronal network level in vivo, particularly when not all neurons express the chemogenetic receptors uniformly. In the current study, for instance, the majority of cells that were transduced with both hM3D(Gq) and hM4D(Gi) were GABAergic. Moreover, we found that panneuronal cortical chemogenetic modulation can profoundly alter oscillatory neuronal activity, presenting a potential research tool or therapeutic strategy in several neuropsychiatric models and diseases.DiscussionThese findings help to optimize the use of chemogenetic techniques in neuroscience research and open new possibilities for novel therapeutic strategies.

Acetylcholine Engages Distinct Amygdala Microcircuits to Gate Internal Theta Rhythm.

Acetylcholine (ACh) is released from basal forebrain cholinergic neurons in response to salient stimuli and engages brain states supporting attention and memory. These high ACh states are associated with theta oscillations, which synchronize neuronal ensembles. Theta oscillations in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) in both humans and rodents have been shown to underlie emotional memory, yet their mechanism remains unclear. Here, using brain slice electrophysiology in male and female mice, we show large ACh stimuli evoke prolonged theta oscillations in BLA local field potentials that depend upon M3 muscarinic receptor activation of cholecystokinin (CCK) interneurons (INs) without the need for external glutamate signaling. Somatostatin (SOM) INs inhibit CCK INs and are themselves inhibited by ACh, providing a functional SOM→CCK IN circuit connection gating BLA theta. Parvalbumin (PV) INs, which can drive BLA oscillations in baseline states, are not involved in the generation of ACh-induced theta, highlighting that ACh induces a cellular switch in the control of BLA oscillatory activity and establishes an internally BLA-driven theta oscillation through CCK INs. Theta activity is more readily evoked in BLA over the cortex or hippocampus, suggesting preferential activation of the BLA during high ACh states. These data reveal a SOM→CCK IN circuit in the BLA that gates internal theta oscillations and suggest a mechanism by which salient stimuli acting through ACh switch the BLA into a network state enabling emotional memory.

Cell-type-specific representation of spatial context in the rat prefrontal cortex

The ability to represent one's own position in relation to cues, goals, or threats is crucial to successful goal-directed behavior. Using optotagging in knock-in rats expressing Cre recombinase in parvalbumin (PV) neurons (PV-Cre rats), we demonstrate cell-type-specific encoding of spatial and movement variables in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) during goal-directed reward seeking. Single neurons encoded the conjunction of the animal's spatial position and the run direction, referred to as the spatial context. The spatial context was most prominently represented by the inhibitory PV interneurons. Movement toward the reward was signified by increased local field potential (LFP) oscillations in the gamma band but this LFP signature was not related to the spatial information in the neuronal firing. The results highlight how spatial information is incorporated into cognitive operations in the mPFC. The presented PV-Cre line opens the door for expanded research approaches in rats.

One dimensional Bose–Einstein condensate under the effect of the extended uncertainty principle

In this study, an analytical investigation was conducted to assess the effects of the extended uncertainty principle (EUP) on a Bose–Einstein condensate (BEC) described by the deformed one-dimensional Gross–Pitaevskii equation (GPE). Analytical solutions were derived for null potential while we used variational and numerical methods for a harmonic oscillator potential. The effects of EUP on stability, probability density, position, and momentum uncertainties of BEC are analyzed. The EUP is found to be applicable for the free dark soliton solution and in the presence of a harmonic potential within specific ranges of the deformation parameter α, while it is not valid for the free bright soliton solution.

Confinement of N-Body Systems and Non-integer Dimensions

The squeezing process of a three-dimensional quantum system by use of an external deformed one-body oscillator potential can also be described by the d-method, without external field and where the dimension can take non-integer values. In this work we first generalize both methods to N particles and any transition between dimensions below 3. Once this is done, the use of harmonic oscillator interactions between the particles allows complete analytic solutions of both methods, and a direct comparison between them is possible. Assuming that both methods describe the same process, leading to the same ground state energy and wave function, an analytic equivalence between the methods arises. The equivalence between both methods and the validity of the derived analytic relation between them is first tested for two identical bosons and for squeezing transitions from 3 to 2 and 1 dimensions, as well as from 2 to 1 dimension. We also investigate the symmetric squeezing from 3 to 1 dimensions of a system made of three identical bosons. We have in all the cases found that the derived analytic relations between the two methods work very well. This fact permits to relate both methods also for large squeezing scenarios, where the brute force numerical calculation with the external field is too much demanding from the numerical point of view, especially for systems with more than two particles.

Bound states of relativistic spinless particles in a mix of circularly symmetric vector and scalar harmonic oscillators

We study the dynamics of relativistic spinless particles moving in a plane when there is circular symmetry. The general formalism for solving the Klein–Gordon equation in cylindrical coordinates for such systems is presented, as well as the conserved observables and the corresponding quantum numbers. We look for bound solutions of the corresponding Klein–Gordon equation when one has vector and scalar circularly symmetric harmonic oscillator potentials. Both positive and negative bound solutions are considered when there is either equal vector and scalar potentials or symmetric vector and scalar potentials, and it is shown how both cases are related through charge conjugation. We compute the non-relativistic limit for those cases, and show that for symmetric scalar and vector potentials the limit does not exist in the first order of an harmonic oscillator frequency, recovering a known result from the Dirac equation with the same kind of potentials.

The turbulent jet in the scale-relativity framework

The turbulent jet plays an important role in fluid mechanics since it is a prototype of free turbulent flow which presents many unsolved problems, among which the absence of closure of the governing equations. Despite the chaotic nature of turbulence, it is characterized by the existence of many universal structures, in particular dimensionless invariants such as its opening angle or the correlation coefficient of velocities. After having given new exact solutions of the Reynolds Averaged Navier–Stokes equations (RANS), we suggest a solution to this puzzle in the scale-relativity framework. In this theory, the time derivative of the Navier–Stokes equations is integrated in terms of a macroscopic Schrödinger equation acting in velocity-space. This equation involves a constant ℏv which can be identified with the energy dissipation rate, while the pressure gradient manifests itself as a quantum harmonic oscillator (QHO) potential. The squared modulus of its solutions yields the probability density function (PDF) of velocities. The Reynolds stresses can then be derived from this PDF, so that the closure problem is solved in this case. This allows us to obtain a theoretical prediction for the turbulent intensity radial profile (and therefore for the pressure) which agrees with the experimental data. The ratio of axial over radial velocity fluctuations is found to be R=1.3–1.4 from QHO properties, in good agreement with its experimental values; we theoretically predict a jet opening angle α=1/2R3 accounting for its universal value ≈1/5; the mean ratio of turbulent intensity amplitudes over jet centerline axial velocity is predicted to be X=19/80, in good agreement with its universally measured value ≈1/4; from these parameters we derive possible values of the radial turbulent intensity amplitude μ=0.19–0.22 consistent with experiments; finally, we find a correlation coefficient of velocities ρ=1/R3=2 α, suggesting an explanation for the universal value ≈0.4 observed for the turbulent jet and for all free shear flows.

Electrochemical oscillation behaviors of gold during its recovery from waste printed circuit boards through slurry electrolysis

Slurry electrolysis is an effective technology for recovering gold from waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs). However, electrochemical oscillation during the gold recovery process is a potential factor affecting power consumption. As a result, the potential oscillation behaviors of gold dissolution at a constant current were studied. These results showed that the periodic formation and dissolution of the Au-OH passive film on the anode induced electrochemical oscillation. The amplitude and frequency of electrochemical oscillation were affected by hydrochloric acid concentration, current intensity, electrode spacing, and sodium chloride concentration, among which the concentration of sodium chloride had a significant inhibitory effect. Under the following conditions: hydrochloric acid concentration of 8mol/L, current of 0.03A, and electrode spacing of 1.5cm, the obtained maximum amplitude potential and frequency were 1.17V and 0.56Hz, respectively. The phase space reconstruction results showed that the systems evolved between the near-linear equilibrium region and the periodic oscillation region. Different factors induced two oscillation modes: top-down and bottom-up. The top-down and bottom-up oscillations induced by current intensity, hydrochloric acid concentration, and electrode spacing reduced the relative power consumption by 11.8, 17.2, and 11.8%, respectively, and increased the relative power consumption by 14.3, 21.2, and 30.1%, respectively. A critical value was obtained, which varied oscillation patterns and gained a region of lower power consumption. The addition of trisodium citrate and PVP can improve gold recovery rate and current efficiency by regulating process of electrochemical oscillation. This work will provide theoretical support for recovering valuable metals from WPCBs with reduced energy consumption by controlling the external conditions to switch the oscillation mode.

Protective Effect of Pemafibrate Treatment against Diabetic Retinopathy in Spontaneously Diabetic Torii Fatty Rats.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) can cause visual impairment and blindness, and the increasing global prevalence of diabetes underscores the need for effective therapies to prevent and treat DR. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of pemafibrate treatment against DR, using a Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) fatty rat model of obese type 2 diabetes. SDT fatty rats were fed either a diet supplemented with pemafibrate (0.3 mg/kg/day) for 16 weeks, starting at 8 weeks of age (Pf SDT fatty: study group), or normal chow (SDT fatty: controls). Normal chow was provided to Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (SD: normal controls). Electroretinography (ERG) was performed at 8 and 24 weeks of age to evaluate the retinal neural function. After sacrifice, retinal thickness, number of retinal folds, and choroidal thickness were evaluated, and immunostaining was performed for aquaporin-4 (AQP4). No significant differences were noted in food consumption, body weight, or blood glucose level after pemafibrate administration. Triglyceride levels were reduced, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were increased. Extension of oscillatory potential (OP)1 and OP3 waves on ERG was suppressed in the Pf SDT fatty group. Retinal thickness at 1,500 microns from the optic disc improved in the Pf SDT fatty group. No significant improvements were noted in choroidal thickness or number of retinal folds. Quantitative analyses showed that AQP4-positive regions in the retinas were significantly larger in the Pf SDT fatty group than in the SDT fatty group. The findings suggest that pemafibrate treatment can exert protective effects against DR.

Study of thermodynamic properties of N particles in one-dimensional harmonic oscillator potential

We have calculated the partition function and hence the energy and the specific heat of a two-particle system in n numbers of finite nondegenerate energy levels of equal spacing distributed according to classical and quantum statistics. We have then extended our study for N identical particles placed in 1D harmonic oscillator potential. It is observed that the specific heat of bosons and fermions are exactly the same in this potential at any temperature, and at high temperature the results are similar to that for the classical particles. The partition function of a system of two particles placed in 2D harmonic oscillator potential has also been determined as comparison.

Abstract 4705: Repetitive membrane potential oscillations enhance metformin's antiproliferative effect in glioblastoma stem cells

Abstract Glioblastoma (GB) is the most common and lethal brain tumor and there is a general agreement that GB stem cells (GSCs) are primarily responsible for its high aggressiveness and recurrence. It was recently reported that GSCs are enriched in the transmembrane form of CLIC1 protein (tmCLIC1) and its inhibition was shown to impair tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo. IAA94 hampers tmCLIC1 function but could not be used in clinics. However, tmCLIC1 is also sensitive to metformin, the most used drug to treat type-2 diabetes. Metformin has been demonstrated to have the same effect as IAA94 in in vitro experiments, resulting in an antitumoral action on cancer cells. Moreover, GB orthotopic mouse model treated with metformin shows a 50% survival compared to control animals, even if metformin concentration in the mice brain resulted in the nanomolar range. In this scenario, the main aim of this work is to enhance the effect of metformin able to reach the brain, improving its antitumoral activity in GB. The interaction between metformin and tmCLIC1 occurs only when this protein is in its open state. TmCLIC1 has the peculiarity of being a voltage-dependent ion channel that opens at depolarized voltages. Thus, our strategy is to apply electromagnetic field (EMF) stimulation to induce repetitive membrane depolarization, increasing metformin-tmCLIC1 binding. Our results show that EMF stimulation induces the close-to-open transitions of tmCLIC1, resulting in a 10-fold decrease of the operative concentration of Metformin. This was verified initially in vitro with GSC culture and spheroids model and afterward confirmed also in an in vivo model. The project’s long-term goal is to combine transcranial stimulation and metformin administration in patients as an adjuvant therapy able to target cells that are resistant to chemotherapy and drive tumor relapse. Citation Format: Ivan Verduci, Gaetano Cannavale, Guido Rey, Francesca Cianci, Alessandro Fantin, Michele Mazzanti. Repetitive membrane potential oscillations enhance metformin's antiproliferative effect in glioblastoma stem cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 4705.

Effects of power on ion behaviors in radio-frequency magnetron sputtering of indium tin oxide (ITO)

Abstract This study delves into ion behavior at the substrate position within RF magnetron discharges utilizing an indium tin oxide (ITO) target. The positive ion energies exhibit an upward trajectory with increasing RF power, attributed to heightened plasma potential and initial emergent energy. Simultaneously, the positive ion flux escalates owing to amplified sputtering rates and electron density. Conversely, negative ions exhibit broad ion energy distribution functions (IEDFs) characterized by multiple peaks. These patterns are clarified by a combination of radiofrequency oscillation of cathode voltage and plasma potential, alongside ion transport time. This elucidation finds validation in a one-dimensional model encompassing the initial ion energy. At higher RF power, negative ions surpassing 100 eV escalate in both flux and energy, posing a potential risk of sputtering damages to ITO layers.

Electroretinographical Analysis of the Effect of BGP-15 in Eyedrops for Compensating Global Ischemia-Reperfusion in the Eyes of Sprague Dawley Rats.

Retinal vascular diseases and consequential metabolic disturbances in the eye are major concerns for healthcare systems all around the world. BGP-15, a drug candidate small-molecule [O-(3-piperidino-2-hydroxy-1-propyl) nicotinic amidoxime dihydrochloride], has been formerly demonstrated by our workgroup to be retinoprotective both in the short and long term. Based on these results, the present study was performed to investigate the efficacy of BGP in an eyedrop formulation containing sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin (SBECD), which is a solubility enhancer as well. Electroretinographical evaluations were carried out and BGP was demonstrated to improve both scotopic and photopic retinal a- and b-waves, shorten their implicit times and restore oscillatory potentials after ischemia-reperfusion. It was also observed to counteract retinal thinning after ischemia-reperfusion in the eyes of Sprague Dawley rats. This small-molecule drug candidate is able to compensate for experimental global eye ischemia-reperfusion injury elicited by ligation of blood vessels in rats. We successfully demonstrated that BGP is able to exert its protective effects on the retina even if administered in the form of eyedrops.

Electroretinographic oscillatory potentials in Leber hereditary optic neuropathy.

Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) affects retinal ganglion cells causing severe vision loss. Pattern electroretinogram and photopic negative response (PhNR) of the light-adapted (LA) full-field electroretinogram (ERG) are typically affected in LHON. In the present study, we evaluated dark-adapted (DA) and LA oscillatory potentials (OPs) of the flash ERG in genetically characterized LHON patients to dissociate slow from fast components of the response. Seven adult patients (mean age = 28.4 ± 5.6) in whom genetic diagnosis confirmed LHON with mtDNA or nuclear DNAJC30 (arLHON) pathogenic variants were compared to 12 healthy volunteers (mean age = 35.0 ± 12.1). Full-field ERGs were recorded from both eyes. Offline digital filters at 50, 75 and 100Hz low cutoff frequencies were applied to isolate high-frequency components from the original ERG signals. ERG a-waves and b-waves were comparable between LHON patients and controls, while PhNR was significantly reduced (p = 0.009) in LHON patients compared to controls, as expected. OPs derived from DA signals (75Hz low cutoff frequency) showed reduced peak amplitude for OP2 (p = 0.019). LA OP differences between LHON and controls became significant (OP2: p = 0.047, OP3: p = 0.039 and OP4: p = 0.013) when the 100Hz low-cutoff frequency filter was applied. Reduced OPs in LHON patients may represent disturbed neuronal interactions in the inner retina with preserved photoreceptoral (a-wave) to bipolar cell (b-wave) activation. Reduced DA OP2 and high-cutoff LA OP alterations may be further explored as functional measures to characterize LHON status and progression.

Non-KAM classical chaos topology for electrons in superlattice minibands determines the inter-well quantum transition rates

We investigate the quantum-classical correspondence for a particle tunnelling through a periodic superlattice structure with an applied bias voltage and an additional tilted harmonic oscillator potential. We show that the quantum mechanical tunnelling rate between neighbouring quantum wells of the superlattice is determined by the topology of the phase trajectories of the analogous classical system. This result also enables us to estimate, with high accuracy, the tunnelling rate between two spatially displaced simple harmonic oscillator states using a classical model, and thus gain new insight into this generic quantum phenomenon. This finding opens new directions for exploring and understanding the quantum-classical correspondence principle and quantum jumps between displaced harmonic oscillators, which are important in many branches of natural science.

Clinical-grade human embryonic stem cell–derived mesenchymal stromal cells ameliorate diabetic retinopathy in db/db mice

Background aimsMesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) hold great promise in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR), as evidenced by increasing preclinical and clinical studies. However, the absence of standardized and industrialized clinical-grade donor cells hampers the continued development and large-scale clinical application of MSCs-based therapies for DR. Previously, we have identified a unique population of MSCs generated from a clinical-grade human embryonic stem cell (hESC) line under Good Manufacturing Practice conditions that could be a potential source to address the issues. Here, we investigated the therapeutic potential of the clinical-grade hESC line–derived MSCs (hESC-MSCs) on db/db mice with DR. MethodshESC-MSCs were initially characterized by morphological assessment, flow cytometry analysis and trilineage differentiation assays. These cells (5 × 106 cells) were then transplanted intravenously into 12-week-old db/db mice via tail vein, with phosphate-buffered saline transplantation and untreated groups used as controls. The retinal alterations in neural functions and microvascular perfusions, and inflammatory responses in peripheral blood and retina were evaluated at 4 and 6 weeks after transplantation using electroretinography, optical coherence tomography angiography and flow cytometry, respectively. Body weight and fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were also measured to investigate their systemic implications. ResultsCompared with controls, intravenous transplantation of hESC-MSCs could significantly: (i) enhance impaired retinal electroretinography functions (including amplitudes of a-, b-wave and oscillatory potentials) at 4 weeks after transplantation; (ii) alleviate microvascular dysfunctions, especially in the inner retina with significance (including reducing non-perfusion area and increasing vascular area density) at 4 weeks after transplantation; (iii) decrease FBG levels at 4 weeks after transplantation and induce weight loss up to 6 weeks after transplantation and (iv) increase both peripheral blood and retinal interleukin-10 levels at 4 weeks after transplantation and modulate peripheral blood inflammatory cytokines and chemokines levels, such as monocyte chemotactic protein-1, up to 6 weeks after transplantation. ConclusionsThe findings of our study indicated that intravenous transplantation of hESC-MSCs ameliorated retinal neural and microvascular dysfunctions, regulated body weight and FBG and modulated peripheral blood and retinal inflammation responses in a mouse model of DR. These results suggest that hESC-MSCs could be a potentially effective clinical-grade cell source for the treatment of DR.

Non-perturbative wavefunction of the universe in inflation with (resonant) features

We study the statistics of scalar perturbations in models of inflation with small and rapid oscillations in the inflaton potential (resonant non-Gaussianity). We do so by deriving the wavefunction Ψ[ζ(x)] non-perturbatively in ζ, but at first order in the amplitude of the oscillations. The expression of the wavefunction of the universe (WFU) is explicit and does not require solving partial differential equations. One finds qualitative deviations from perturbation theory for |ζ| ≳ α−2, where α ≫ 1 is the number of oscillations per Hubble time. Notably, the WFU exhibits distinct behaviours for negative and positive values of ζ (troughs and peaks respectively). While corrections for ζ < 0 remain relatively small, of the order of the oscillation amplitude, positive ζ yields substantial effects, growing exponentially as eπα/2 in the limit of large ζ. This indicates that even minute oscillations give large effects on the tail of the distribution.

Capacitor sizing of three‐level neutral point clamped voltage source inverter for electric vehicles: Effects of modulation and motor characteristics

AbstractA three‐level neutral point clamped (3L‐NPC) voltage source inverter (VSI) topology can be advantageous in electric vehicles with a high DC‐link voltage and a high switching frequency. A bulky DC‐link capacitor is not an option; thus, the DC‐link capacitor's sizing considering the traction system characteristics is an important design step. This paper investigates how the DC‐link capacitor size of a 3L‐NPC VSI gets affected by the combination of the interdependent characteristics of an electric drive, such as its power factor, modulation index, current, and fundamental frequency, with the effects of the modulation methods. Five pulse width modulation (PWM) methods, of which three of them have an active neutral point potential control, are compared in terms of their neutral point potential (NPP) oscillations. Then, the size of the DC‐link capacitor is determined for each PWM method so that the NPP ripple is kept under desired limits at all operating conditions. It is shown that both the modulation technique and the electric machine characteristics influence the capacitor size. For example, electric machine design modifications can introduce more than a 30% reduction in capacitor size. Finally, DC‐link and NPP oscillations with different PWM methods are experimentally validated in a scaled‐down 3L‐NPC inverter.