Spatiotemporal properties of cortical excitatory and inhibitory neuron activation by sustained and bursting electrical microstimulation

Summary: Intracortical microstimulation (ICMS) of sensory brain regions can create artificial sensations, yet these percepts fade with continued stimulation, suggesting dynamic changes in underlying neural activity. Using two-photon imaging in transgenic mice, this study examines how prolonged ICMS...

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Main Authors: Christopher L. Hughes, Kevin C. Stieger, Keying Chen, Alberto L. Vazquez, Takashi D.Y. Kozai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:iScience
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S258900422500968X
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author Christopher L. Hughes
Kevin C. Stieger
Keying Chen
Alberto L. Vazquez
Takashi D.Y. Kozai
author_facet Christopher L. Hughes
Kevin C. Stieger
Keying Chen
Alberto L. Vazquez
Takashi D.Y. Kozai
author_sort Christopher L. Hughes
collection DOAJ
description Summary: Intracortical microstimulation (ICMS) of sensory brain regions can create artificial sensations, yet these percepts fade with continued stimulation, suggesting dynamic changes in underlying neural activity. Using two-photon imaging in transgenic mice, this study examines how prolonged ICMS (30 s) shapes activity in excitatory and inhibitory neurons within the visual cortex. Inhibitory neuron activity was more likely to increase throughout the stimulation period, while excitatory neuron activity was more likely to decrease and be suppressed post-stimulation. Stimulation patterns differentially shaped neuronal engagement: theta-burst stimulation most effectively activated inhibitory neurons, whereas 10-Hz burst most effectively activated excitatory neurons. ICMS evoked more diverse responses in neurons farther from the electrode, reflecting complex synaptic interactions involving inhibition and disinhibition. These results show that ICMS affects excitatory and inhibitory neurons differently over extended durations. Modulation of stimulation patterns may allow for preferential engagement of specific neuron types and shaping of cortical activity.
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spelling doaj-art-479b076bb4f144c18d7e98d43f77984c2025-08-20T02:32:31ZengElsevieriScience2589-00422025-06-0128611270710.1016/j.isci.2025.112707Spatiotemporal properties of cortical excitatory and inhibitory neuron activation by sustained and bursting electrical microstimulationChristopher L. Hughes0Kevin C. Stieger1Keying Chen2Alberto L. Vazquez3Takashi D.Y. Kozai4Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Pittsburgh, PA, USADepartment of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Pittsburgh, PA, USADepartment of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Pittsburgh, PA, USADepartment of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USADepartment of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; NeuroTech Center, University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Corresponding authorSummary: Intracortical microstimulation (ICMS) of sensory brain regions can create artificial sensations, yet these percepts fade with continued stimulation, suggesting dynamic changes in underlying neural activity. Using two-photon imaging in transgenic mice, this study examines how prolonged ICMS (30 s) shapes activity in excitatory and inhibitory neurons within the visual cortex. Inhibitory neuron activity was more likely to increase throughout the stimulation period, while excitatory neuron activity was more likely to decrease and be suppressed post-stimulation. Stimulation patterns differentially shaped neuronal engagement: theta-burst stimulation most effectively activated inhibitory neurons, whereas 10-Hz burst most effectively activated excitatory neurons. ICMS evoked more diverse responses in neurons farther from the electrode, reflecting complex synaptic interactions involving inhibition and disinhibition. These results show that ICMS affects excitatory and inhibitory neurons differently over extended durations. Modulation of stimulation patterns may allow for preferential engagement of specific neuron types and shaping of cortical activity.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S258900422500968XNeuroscienceSensory neuroscience
spellingShingle Christopher L. Hughes
Kevin C. Stieger
Keying Chen
Alberto L. Vazquez
Takashi D.Y. Kozai
Spatiotemporal properties of cortical excitatory and inhibitory neuron activation by sustained and bursting electrical microstimulation
iScience
Neuroscience
Sensory neuroscience
title Spatiotemporal properties of cortical excitatory and inhibitory neuron activation by sustained and bursting electrical microstimulation
title_full Spatiotemporal properties of cortical excitatory and inhibitory neuron activation by sustained and bursting electrical microstimulation
title_fullStr Spatiotemporal properties of cortical excitatory and inhibitory neuron activation by sustained and bursting electrical microstimulation
title_full_unstemmed Spatiotemporal properties of cortical excitatory and inhibitory neuron activation by sustained and bursting electrical microstimulation
title_short Spatiotemporal properties of cortical excitatory and inhibitory neuron activation by sustained and bursting electrical microstimulation
title_sort spatiotemporal properties of cortical excitatory and inhibitory neuron activation by sustained and bursting electrical microstimulation
topic Neuroscience
Sensory neuroscience
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S258900422500968X
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AT albertolvazquez spatiotemporalpropertiesofcorticalexcitatoryandinhibitoryneuronactivationbysustainedandburstingelectricalmicrostimulation
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