Outcomes and efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging-compatible sacral nerve stimulator for management of fecal incontinence: A multi-institutional study

BACKGROUND Fecal incontinence(FI)is an involuntary passage of fecal matter which can have a significant impact on a patient’s quality of life.Many modalities of treatment exist for FI.Sacral nerve stimulation is a well-established treatment for FI.Given the increased need of magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)for diagnostics,the In-terStim which was previously used in sacral nerve stimulation was limited by MRI incompatibility.Medtronic MRI-compatible InterStim was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in August 2020 and has been widely used.AIM To evaluate the efficacy,outcomes and complications of the MRI-compatible InterStim.METHODS Data of patients who underwent MRI-compatible Medtronic InterStim placement at UPMC Williamsport,University of Minnesota,Advocate Lutheran General Hospital,and University of Wisconsin-Madison was pooled and analyzed.Patient demographics,clinical features,surgical techniques,complications,and outcomes were analyzed.Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology(STROBE)cross-sectional reporting guidelines were used.RESULTS Seventy-three patients had the InterStim implanted.The mean age was 63.29±12.2 years.Fifty-seven(78.1%)patients were females and forty-two(57.5%)patients had diabetes.In addition to incontinence,overlapping symptoms included diarrhea(23.3%),fecal urgency(58.9%),and urinary incontinence(28.8%).Fifteen(20.5%)patients underwent Peripheral Nerve Evaluation before proceeding to definite implant placement.Thirty-two(43.8%)patients underwent rechargeable InterStim placement.Three(4.1%)patients needed removal of the implant.Migration of the external lead connection was observed in 7(9.6%)patients after the stage I procedure.The explanation for one patient was due to infection.Seven(9.6%)patients had other complications like nerve pain,hematoma,infection,lead fracture,and bleeding.The mean follow-up was 6.62±3.5 mo.Sixty-eight(93.2%)patients reported significant improvement of symptoms on follow-up evaluation.CONCLUSION This study shows promising results with significant symptom improvement,good efficacy and good patient outcomes with low complication rates while using MRI compatible InterStim for FI.Further long-term follow-up and future studies with a larger patient population is recommended.

Brain endothelial cyclic GMP-AMP synthase(cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes(STING)signaling pathway in aging and neurodegeneration

The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase(cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes(STING)signaling pathway has emerged as a key mediator of neuroinflammation.While current studies primarily attribute its effects to neurons and glial cells,emerging research suggests that cGAS-STING signaling may play a critical role in cerebral vasculature,particularly in brain endothelial cells.Therefore,studying the role 7of inflammation caused by the cGAS-STING pathway in brain endothelial cells could provide a more comprehensive understanding of neuroinflammatory disease and new avenues for therapeutic interventions.Here,we review the multifaceted role of global cGAS-STING signaling in various neurological and neuroinflammatory diseases and the potential contribution of cGAS-STING in brain endothelial cells.

Pain Efficacy of a Home-Based Low-Intensity Continuous Ultrasound Stimulator for Knee Arthritis: A Single-Arm, Open-Label, Prospective Clinical Trial

1) Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is defined as a degenerative joint disease that mainly affects the bone. This study aims to evaluate the effect of low-intensity continuous ultrasound (LICUS) treatment on the knee of osteoarthritis patients through home-based intervention using the LICUS medical device. 2) Methods: The clinical trials were designed in a single-arm, open-label, and intervention study. Thirty-five participants, including those who dropped out (12%), were screened and enrolled. The patients received LICUS (1.1 MHz, 1.5 W/cm2, collimated beams) on the knee by the instructions of the investigator at home (5 min/session, 3 times/day, for four-weeks). Outcome measures were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) as a primary endpoint and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) as a secondary endpoint to evaluate pain relief and functional recovery of the knee between pre-treatment (baseline) and post-treatment (four-weeks). 3) Results: Knee pain scores measured using the VAS and WOMAC indices were significantly reduced after a four-week treatment with LICUS compared to baseline. Knee stiffness and functional capacity were significantly reduced after the LICUS application. In addition, there were no reports of adverse effects during the study period. 4) Conclusion: Long-term and home-based application of LICUS can be recommended as an alternative option for the treatment of OA patients, as evidenced by the effect of pain relief and knee function recovery.

Vagus nerve stimulation in cerebral stroke:biological mechanisms,therapeutic modalities,clinical applications,and future directions

Stroke is a major disorder of the central nervous system that poses a serious threat to human life and quality of life.Many stro ke victims are left with long-term neurological dysfunction,which adversely affects the well-being of the individual and the broader socioeconomic impact.Currently,poststroke brain dysfunction is a major and difficult area of treatment.Vagus nerve stimulation is a Food and Drug Administration-approved exploratory treatment option for autis m,refractory depression,epilepsy,and Alzheimer’s disease.It is expected to be a novel therapeutic technique for the treatment of stroke owing to its association with multiple mechanisms such as alte ring neurotransmitters and the plasticity of central neuro ns.In animal models of acute ischemic stroke,vagus nerve stimulation has been shown to reduce infarct size,reduce post-stroke neurological damage,and improve learning and memory capacity in rats with stroke by reducing the inflammatory response,regulating bloodbrain barrier permeability,and promoting angiogenesis and neurogenesis.At present,vagus nerve stimulation includes both invasive and non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation.Clinical studies have found that invasive vagus nerve stimulation combined with rehabilitation therapy is effective in im proving upper limb motor and cognitive abilities in stroke patients.Further clinical studies have shown that non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation,including ear/ce rvical vagus nerve stimulation,can stimulate vagal projections to the central nervous system similarly to invasive vagus nerve stimulation and can have the same effect.In this paper,we first describe the multiple effects of vagus nerve stimulation in stroke,and then discuss in depth its neuroprotective mechanisms in ischemic stroke.We go on to outline the res ults of the current major clinical applications of invasive and non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation.Finally,we provide a more comprehensive evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of different types of vagus nerve stimulation in the treatment of cerebral ischemia and provide an outlook on the developmental trends.We believe that vagus nerve stimulation,as an effective treatment for stroke,will be widely used in clinical practice to promote the recovery of stroke patients and reduce the incidence of disability.

Contribution of glial cells to the neuroprotective effects triggered by repetitive magnetic stimulation:a systematic review

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation has been increasingly studied in different neurological diseases,and although most studies focus on its effects on neuronal cells,the contribution of nonneuronal cells to the improvement trigge red by repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in these diseases has been increasingly suggested.To systematically review the effects of repetitive magnetic stimulation on non-neuronal cells two online databases.Web of Science and PubMed were searched fo r the effects of high-frequency-repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation,low-frequencyrepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation,intermittent theta-bu rst stimulation,continuous thetaburst stimulation,or repetitive magnetic stimulation on non-neuronal cells in models of disease and in unlesioned animals or cells.A total of 52 studies were included.The protocol more frequently used was high-frequency-repetitive magnetic stimulation,and in models of disease,most studies report that high-frequency-repetitive magnetic stimulation led to a decrease in astrocyte and mic roglial reactivity,a decrease in the release of pro-inflammatory cyto kines,and an increase of oligodendrocyte proliferation.The trend towards decreased microglial and astrocyte reactivity as well as increased oligodendrocyte proliferation occurred with intermittent theta-burst stimulation and continuous theta-burst stimulation.Few papers analyzed the low-frequency-repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation protocol,and the parameters evaluated were restricted to the study of astrocyte reactivity and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines,repo rting the absence of effects on these paramete rs.In what concerns the use of magnetic stimulation in unlesioned animals or cells,most articles on all four types of stimulation reported a lack of effects.It is also important to point out that the studies were developed mostly in male rodents,not evaluating possible diffe rential effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation between sexes.This systematic review supports that thro ugh modulation of glial cells repetitive magnetic stimulation contributes to the neuroprotection or repair in various neurological disease models.Howeve r,it should be noted that there are still few articles focusing on the impact of repetitive magnetic stimulation on non-neuronal cells and most studies did not perform in-depth analyses of the effects,emphasizing the need for more studies in this field.

Working toward an integrated plasticity/network framework for repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation to inform tailored treatments

Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques(NIBS),including repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS) and transcranial electric stim ulation(tES),are increasingly being adopted clinically for treatment of neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders,albeit with varying success.The rationale behind the use of NIBS has historically been that stim ulation techniques modulate neuronal activity in the targeted region and consequently induce plasticity which can lead to therapeutic outcomes.

High-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation promotes neural stem cell proliferation after ischemic stroke

Prolife ration of neural stem cells is crucial for promoting neuronal regeneration and repairing cerebral infarction damage.Transcranial magnetic stimulation(TMS)has recently emerged as a tool for inducing endogenous neural stem cell regeneration,but its underlying mechanisms remain unclea r In this study,we found that repetitive TMS effectively promotes the proliferation of oxygen-glucose deprived neural stem cells.Additionally,repetitive TMS reduced the volume of cerebral infa rction in a rat model of ischemic stro ke caused by middle cerebral artery occlusion,im p roved rat cognitive function,and promoted the proliferation of neural stem cells in the ischemic penumbra.RNA-sequencing found that repetitive TMS activated the Wnt signaling pathway in the ischemic penumbra of rats with cerebral ischemia.Furthermore,PCR analysis revealed that repetitive TMS promoted AKT phosphorylation,leading to an increase in mRNA levels of cell cycle-related proteins such as Cdk2 and Cdk4.This effect was also associated with activation of the glycogen synthase kinase 3β/β-catenin signaling pathway,which ultimately promotes the prolife ration of neural stem cells.Subsequently,we validated the effect of repetitive TMS on AKT phosphorylation.We found that repetitive TMS promoted Ca2+influx into neural stem cells by activating the P2 calcium channel/calmodulin pathway,thereby promoting AKT phosphorylation and activating the glycogen synthase kinase 3β/β-catenin pathway.These findings indicate that repetitive TMS can promote the proliferation of endogenous neural stem cells through a Ca2+influx-dependent phosphorylated AKT/glycogen synthase kinase 3β/β-catenin signaling pathway.This study has produced pioneering res ults on the intrinsic mechanism of repetitive TMS to promote neural function recove ry after ischemic stro ke.These results provide a stro ng scientific foundation for the clinical application of repetitive TMS.Moreover,repetitive TMS treatment may not only be an efficient and potential approach to support neurogenesis for further therapeutic applications,but also provide an effective platform for the expansion of neural stem cells.

GTCS-Vagus Nerve Stimulator Automation Using Private IoT-Blockchain Smartcontract

Generalized Tonic Clonic Seizure(GTCS)is a form of epileptic seizure in which a patient loses control over their entire body,ultimately leading to loss of consciousness.The Vagus Nerve Stimulator(VNS)is a tool/method for treating epileptic episodes that sends counter-electrical stimulations to the Vagus Nerve in order to mitigate epileptic signals from the brain.The machine is a stand-alone device that depends on human decision-making.The proposed framework uses an IoT and Blockchain oversight mechanism to augment the device's transparency.The system counteracts against false-activation by monitoring the patient's vitals through a smart watch and allows only legitimate use.The nominal operating threshold is determined by preprocessing inferences that include an 18-year-old GTCS epileptic patient and a data set of 281 non-GTCS epileptic patients.The proposed system functions as a dual control lock where the IoT system and the manually activation system work in tandem to activate the device.Based on the values sensed by the IoT device,the deployed system is able to make deci-sions and regulate the use of the VNS.The IoT-Blockchain framework is able to fully eradicate false activation by increasing accuracy and transparency,ensur-ing the device is used correctly and safely.

Safety and effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in cardiac surgery:A systematic review

BACKGROUND Lack of mobilization and prolonged stay in the intensive care unit(ICU)are major factors resulting in the development of ICU-acquired muscle weakness(ICUAW).ICUAW is a type of skeletal muscle dysfunction and a common complication of patients after cardiac surgery,and may be a risk factor for prolonged duration of mechanical ventilation,associated with a higher risk of readmission and higher mortality.Early mobilization in the ICU after cardiac surgery has been found to be low with a significant trend to increase over ICU stay and is also associated with a reduced duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU length of stay.Neuromuscular electrical stimulation(NMES)is an alternative modality of exercise in patients with muscle weakness.A major advantage of NMES is that it can be applied even in sedated patients in the ICU,a fact that might enhance early mobilization in these patients.AIM To evaluate safety,feasibility and effectiveness of NMES on functional capacity and muscle strength in patients before and after cardiac surgery.METHODS We performed a search on Pubmed,Physiotherapy Evidence Database(PEDro),Embase and CINAHL databases,selecting papers published between December 2012 and April 2023 and identified published randomized controlled trials(RCTs)that included implementation of NMES in patients before after cardiac surgery.RCTs were assessed for methodological rigor and risk of bias via the PEDro.The primary outcomes were safety and functional capacity and the secondary outcomes were muscle strength and function.RESULTS Ten studies were included in our systematic review,resulting in 703 participants.Almost half of them performed NMES and the other half were included in the control group,treated with usual care.Nine studies investigated patients after cardiac surgery and 1 study before cardiac surgery.Functional capacity was assessed in 8 studies via 6MWT or other indices,and improved only in 1 study before and in 1 after cardiac surgery.Nine studies explored the effects of NMES on muscle strength and function and,most of them,found increase of muscle strength and improvement in muscle function after NMES.NMES was safe in all studies without any significant complication.CONCLUSION NMES is safe,feasible and has beneficial effects on muscle strength and function in patients after cardiac surgery,but has no significant effect on functional capacity.

Millimetric devices for nerve stimulation:a promising path towards miniaturization

Nerve stimulation is a rapidly developing field,demonstrating positive outcomes across several conditions.Despite potential benefits,current nerve stimulation devices are large,complicated,and are powered via implanted pulse generators.These facto rs necessitate invasive surgical implantation and limit potential applications.Reducing nerve stimulation devices to millimetric sizes would make these interventions less invasive and facilitate broader therapeutic applications.However,device miniaturization presents a serious engineering challenge.This review presents significant advancements from several groups that have overcome this challenge and developed millimetricsized nerve stimulation devices.These are based on antennas,mini-coils,magneto-electric and optoelectronic materials,or receive ultrasound power.We highlight key design elements,findings from pilot studies,and present several considerations for future applications of these devices.

Optimal transcorneal electrical stimulation parameters for preserving photoreceptors in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa

Retinitis pigmentosa is a hereditary retinal disease that affects rod and cone photoreceptors,leading to progressive photoreceptor loss.Previous research supports the beneficial effect of electrical stimulation on photoreceptor survival.This study aims to identify the most effective electrical stimulation parameters and functional advantages of transcorneal electrical stimulation(tcES)in mice affected by inherited retinal degeneration.Additionally,the study seeked to analyze the electric field that reaches the retina in both eyes in mice and post-mortem humans.In this study,we recorded waveforms and voltages directed to the retina during transcorneal electrical stimulation in C57BL/6J mice using an intraocular needle probe with rectangular,sine,and ramp waveforms.To investigate the functional effects of electrical stimulation on photoreceptors,we used human retinal explant cultures and rhodopsin knockout(Rho^(-/-))mice,demonstrating progressive photoreceptor degeneration with age.Human retinal explants isolated from the donors’eyes were then subjected to electrical stimulation and cultured for 48 hours to simulate the neurodegenerative environment in vitro.Photoreceptor density was evaluated by rhodopsin immunolabeling.In vivo Rho^(-/-)mice were subjected to two 5-day series of daily transcorneal electrical stimulation using rectangular and ramp waveforms.Retinal function and visual perception of mice were evaluated by electroretinography and optomotor response(OMR),respectively.Immunolabeling was used to assess the morphological and biochemical changes of the photoreceptor and bipolar cells in mouse retinas.Oscilloscope recordings indicated effective delivery of rectangular,sine,and ramp waveforms to the retina by transcorneal electrical stimulation,of which the ramp waveform required the lowest voltage.Evaluation of the total conductive resistance of the post-mortem human compared to the mouse eyes indicated higher cornea-to-retina resistance in human eyes.The temperature recordings during and after electrical stimulation indicated no significant temperature change in vivo and only a subtle temperature increase in vitro(~0.5-1.5°C).Electrical stimulation increased photoreceptor survival in human retinal explant cultures,particularly at the ramp waveform.Transcorneal electrical stimulation(rectangular+ramp)waveforms significantly improved the survival and function of S and M-cones and enhanced visual acuity based on the optomotor response results.Histology and immunolabeling demonstrated increased photoreceptor survival,improved outer nuclear layer thickness,and increased bipolar cell sprouting in Rho^(-/-)mice.These results indicate that transcorneal electrical stimulation effectively delivers the electrical field to the retina,improves photoreceptor survival in both human and mouse retinas,and increases visual function in Rho^(-/-)mice.Combined rectangular and ramp waveform stimulation can promote photoreceptor survival in a minimally invasive fashion.

Suppression of stimulated Brillouin and Raman scatterings using an alternating frequency laser and transverse magnetic fields

A novel scheme to suppress both stimulated Brillouin scattering(SBS) and stimulated Raman scattering(SRS) by combining an alternating frequency(AF) laser and a transverse magnetic field is proposed. The AF laser allows the laser frequency to change discretely and alternately over time. The suppression of SBS is significant as long as the AF difference is greater than the linear growth rate of SBS or the alternating time of the laser frequency is shorter than the linear growth time of SBS. However, the AF laser proves ineffective in suppressing SRS, which usually has a much higher linear growth rate than SBS. To remedy that, a transverse magnetic field is included to suppress the SRS instability. The electrons trapped in the electron plasma waves(EPWs) of SRS can be accelerated by the surfatron mechanism in a transverse magnetic field and eventually detrapped. While continuously extracting energy from EPWs, the EPWs are dissipated and the kinetic inflation of SRS is suppressed. The one-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation results show that both SBS and SRS can be effectively suppressed by combining the AF laser with a transverse magnetic field with tens of Tesla. The total reflectivity can be dramatically reduced by more than one order of magnitude. These results provide a potential reference for controlling SBS and SRS under the related parameters of inertial confinement fusion.

Involvement of Siglec-15 in regulating RAP1/RAC signaling in cytoskeletal remodeling in osteoclasts mediated by macrophage colony-stimulating factor

DNAX-associated protein 12 kD size(DAP12)is a dominant immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif(ITAM)-signaling adaptor that activates costimulatory signals essential for osteoclastogenesis.Although several DAP12-associated receptors(DARs)have been identified in osteoclasts,including triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2(TREM-2),C-type lectin member 5 A(CLEC5A),and sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectin(Siglec)-15,their precise role in the development of osteoclasts and bone remodeling remain poorly understood.In this study,mice deficient in Trem-2,Clec5a,Siglec-15 were generated.

Exploring the synergy of the eyebrain connection:neuromodulation approaches for neurodegenerative disorders through transcorneal electrical stimulation

The connection and interaction between the eye and the brain are crucial to understanding brain disorders(Marchesi et al.,2021).Both the eye and the brain have a limited regenerative capacity as there are few progenitor cells,and nerve cells do not replicate.Hence,neurodegeneration implicates irreversible damage to the central nervous system,as observed in several neurodegenerative diseases(Marchesi et al.,2021).

Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation on postoperative sleep disturbance in older patients undergoing lower limb major arthroplasty:a prospective,double-blind,pilot,randomised controlled trial

Background Postoperative sleep disturbance(PSD)is a common and serious postoperative complication and is associated with poor postoperative outcomes.Aims This study aimed to investigate the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation(tDCS)on PSD in older patients undergoing lower limb major arthroplasty.Methods In this prospective,double-blind,pilot,randomised,sham-controlled trial,patients 65 years and over undergoing lower limb major arthroplasty were randomly assigned to receive active tDCS(a-tDCS)or sham tDCS(s-tDCS).The primary outcomes were the objective sleep measures on postoperative nights(N)1 and N2.Results 116 inpatients were assessed for eligibility,and a total of 92 patients were enrolled;47 received a-tDCS and 45 received s-tDCS.tDCS improved PSD by altering the following sleep measures in the a-tDCS and s-tDCS groups;the respective comparisons were as follows:the promotion of rapid eye movement(REM)sleep time on N1(64.5(33.5-105.5)vs 19.0(0.0,45.0)min,F=20.10,p<0.001)and N2(75.0(36.0-120.8)vs 30.0(1.3-59.3)min,F=12.55,p<0.001);the total sleep time on N1(506.0(408.0-561.0)vs 392.0(243.0-483.5)min,F=14.13,p<0.001)and N2(488.5(455.5-548.5)vs 346.0(286.5-517.5)min,F=7.36,p=0.007);the deep sleep time on N1(130.0(103.3-177.0)vs 42.5(9.8-100.8)min,F=24.4,p<0.001)and N2(103.5(46.0-154.8)vs 57.5(23.3-106.5)min,F=8.4,p=0.004);and the percentages of light sleep and REM sleep on N1 and N2(p<0.05 for each).The postoperative depression and anxiety scores did not differ significantly between the two groups.No significant adverse events were reported.Conclusion In older patients undergoing lower limb major arthroplasty,a single session of anodal tDCS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex showed a potentially prophylactic effect in improving postoperative short-term objective sleep measures.However,this benefit was temporary and was not maintained over time.

Comparisons of transcranial alternating current stimulation and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment therapy for insomnia:a pilot study

To the editor:Insomnia disorder has a serious and widespread detrimental effect on humans with comorbidity with other mental or physical health problems.In recent years,noninvasive brain stimulation(NIBS)techniques,especially transcranial magnetic stimulation(TMS)and transcranial electrical stimulation,have been increasingly used for the treatment of brain diseases,including insomnia disorder.

Brain-wide activation involved in 15 mA transcranial alternating current stimulation in patients with first-episode major depressive disorder

Background Although 15 mA transcranial alternating current stimulation(tACS)has a therapeutic effect on depression,the activations of brain structures in humans accounting for this tACS configuration remain largely unknown.Aims To investigate which intracranial brain structures are engaged in the tACS at 77.5 Hz and 15 mA,delivered via the forehead and the mastoid electrodes in the human brain.Methods Actual human head models were built using the magnetic resonance imagings of eight outpatient volunteers with drug-naïve,first-episode major depressive disorder and then used to perform the electric field distributions with SimNIBS software.Results The electric field distributions of the sagittal,coronal and axial planes showed that the bilateral frontal lobes,bilateral temporal lobes,hippocampus,cingulate,hypothalamus,thalamus,amygdala,cerebellum and brainstem were visibly stimulated by the 15 mA tACS procedure.Conclusions Brain-wide activation,including the cortex,subcortical structures,cerebellum and brainstem,is involved in the 15 mA tACS intervention for first-episode major depressive disorder.Our results indicate that the simultaneous involvement of multiple brain regions is a possible mechanism for its effectiveness in reducing depressive symptoms.

Effect of novel accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation on suicidal ideation in adolescent patients with major depressive episode:a randomised clinical trial

To the editor:Affective disorders,including major depressive disorder(MDD)and bipolar disorder,have emerged as the primary cause of adolescent suicide.Moreover,suicide mostly occurs in the major depressive episode(MDE)of affective disorders.Suicidal ideation(SI)has been identified as an immediate precursor to suicide,such that reducing its severity is conducive to suicide prevention in adolescents.

Caliper-based precise positioning of the target(CALIPPOT)for transcranial magnetic stimulation without neuronavigation system

To the editor:Transcranial magnetic stimulation(TMS)is a non-invasive brain modulation technique.One important usage of TMS is the transient interruption of cognitive brain function(also named virtual lesion)for investigating precisely where and when a specific cortical region contributes to a specific cognitive function.1 A more important usage of TMS is the treatment of brain disorders by repetitive TMS(rTMS).

Presurgical structural imaging and clinical outcome in combined bed nucleus of the stria terminalis-nucleus accumbens deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression

Background Structural imaging holds great potential for precise targeting and stimulation for deep brain stimulation(DBS).The anatomical information it provides may serve as potential biomarkers for predicting the efficacy of DBS in treatment-resistant depression(TRD).Aims The primary aim is to identify preoperative imaging biomarkers that correlate with the efficacy of DBS in patients with TRD.Methods Preoperative imaging parameters were estimated and correlated with the 6-month clinical outcome of patients with TRD receiving combined bed nucleus of the stria terminalis(BNST)-nucleus accumbens(NAc)DBS.White matter(WM)properties were extracted and compared between the response/non-response and remission/non-remission groups.Structural connectome was constructed and analysed using graph theory.Distances of the volume of activated tissue(VAT)to the main modulating tracts were also estimated to evaluate the correlations.Results Differences in fibre bundle properties of tracts,including superior thalamic radiation and reticulospinal tract,were observed between the remission and nonremission groups.Distance of the centre of the VAT to tracts connecting the ventral tegmental area and the anterior limb of internal capsule on the left side varied between the remission and non-remission groups(p=0.010,t=3.07).The normalised clustering coefficient(γ)and the small-world property(σ)in graph analysis correlated with the symptom improvement after the correction of age.Conclusions Presurgical structural alterations in WM tracts connecting the frontal area with subcortical regions,as well as the distance of the VAT to the modulating tracts,may influence the clinical outcome of BNST-NAc DBS.These findings provide potential imaging biomarkers for the DBS treatment for patients with TRD.