Investigation of ephaptic interactions in peripheral nerve of sheep using 6 kHz subthreshold currents

TL;DR

This study investigates how applying subthreshold currents to sheep peripheral nerves affects nerve excitability and neural signal propagation, revealing increased excitability and waveform changes, which inform neuromodulation therapies.

Contribution

It demonstrates that subthreshold currents can modulate nerve excitability and alter neural signals in vivo, providing new insights into neuromodulation mechanisms in peripheral nerves.

Findings

Subthreshold currents increase nerve fiber excitation (p < 0.0001).

Waveform of compound action potential shifts with subthreshold stimulation (p < 0.02).

Altered neural activity suggests potential for neuromodulation therapies.

Abstract

The objective of this work was to determine whether application of subthreshold currents to the peripheral nerve increases the excitability of the underlying nerve fibres, and how this increased excitability would alter neural activity as it propagates through the subthreshold currents. Experiments were performed on two Romney cross-breed sheep in vivo, by applying subthreshold currents either at the stimulus site or between the stimulus and recording sites. Neural recordings were obtained from nerve cuff implanted on the peroneal or sciatic nerve branches, while stimulus was applied to either the peroneal nerve or pins placed through the lower hindshank. Results showed that subthreshold currents applied to the same site as stimulus increased excitation of underlying nerve fibres (p < 0.0001). With stimulus and subthreshold currents applied to different sites on the peroneal nerve, the primary CAP in the sciatic displayed a temporal shift of -2.5 to -3 us which agreed with statistically significant changes in the CAP waveform (p<0.02). These findings contribute to the understanding of mechanisms in myelinated fibres of subthreshold current neuromodulation therapies.