摘要
Spinal cord stimulation （SCS） is a promising technique for treating disorders of consciousness （DOCs）. However, differences in the spatio-temporal responsiveness of the brain under varied SCS parameters remain unclear. In this pilot study, functional near-infrared spectroscopy was used to measure the hemodynamic responses of 10 DOC patients to different SCS frequencies （5 Hz, 10 Hz, 50 Hz, 70 Hz, and 100 Hz）. In the prefrontal cortex, a key area in consciousness circuits, we found significantly increased hemodynamic responses at 70 Hz and 100 Hz, and significantly different hemodynamic responses between 50 Hz and 70 Hz/100 Hz. In addition, the functional connectivity between prefrontal and occipital areas was significantly improved with SCS at 70 Hz. These results demonstrated that SCS modulates the hemodynamic responses and long-range connectivity in a frequency-specific manner （with 70 Hz apparently better）, perhaps by improving the cerebral blood volume and information transmission through the reticular formation-thalamus-cortex pathway.
Spinal cord stimulation （SCS） is a promising technique for treating disorders of consciousness （DOCs）. However, differences in the spatio-temporal responsiveness of the brain under varied SCS parameters remain unclear. In this pilot study, functional near-infrared spectroscopy was used to measure the hemodynamic responses of 10 DOC patients to different SCS frequencies （5 Hz, 10 Hz, 50 Hz, 70 Hz, and 100 Hz）. In the prefrontal cortex, a key area in consciousness circuits, we found significantly increased hemodynamic responses at 70 Hz and 100 Hz, and significantly different hemodynamic responses between 50 Hz and 70 Hz/100 Hz. In addition, the functional connectivity between prefrontal and occipital areas was significantly improved with SCS at 70 Hz. These results demonstrated that SCS modulates the hemodynamic responses and long-range connectivity in a frequency-specific manner （with 70 Hz apparently better）, perhaps by improving the cerebral blood volume and information transmission through the reticular formation-thalamus-cortex pathway.
基金
supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2017YFB1002502)
the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81501550, 81600919, and 31771076)
the Cross Training (Shipei) Project of High-Caliber Talents in Beijing Municipal Institutions (2017–2018)
the Supplementary and Supportive Project for Teachers at Beijing Information Science and Technology University (2018–2020, 5029011103)
the School Scientific Research Project at Beijing Information Science and Technology University (1825010)
the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission (Z161100000516165)
the Shenzhen Peacock Plan (KQTD2015033016104926)
the Guangdong Pearl River Talents Plan Innovative and Entrepreneurial Team grant (2016ZT06S220)
