Work

Block of Motor Nerve Conduction Via Transcutaneous Application of Direct Current

Year: 2018

Type: article

Abstract: Aims: Nerve conduction block using implanted electrodes is being used increasingly for clinical applications. Alternatively, non-invasive electrical nerve block would be beneficial for applications including pain block and muscle spasticity. Here we developed a novel means of non-invasive electrical nerve conduction blockade - transcutaneous direct current block (tDCB) - that produces direct block of nerve conduction. Materials & Methods: rodent model, tDCB produced stable neuromotor blockade of sciatic nerve branches, dependent on stimulus parameters and electrode geometry. Results: Partial-to-complete neuromotor block was achieved in all subjects using tDCB amplitudes at or below 20 mA, and complete block was achieved at amplitudes as low as 6 mA. Conclusions: Our results reveal that neuromotor activity can be rapidly, reliably and reversibly blocked using tDCB.

Source: Bioelectronics in Medicine

DOI: 10.2217/bem-2017-0011

Authors: Gustaf M Van Acker, Tina L Vrabec, Narendra Bhadra, John Chae, Kevin L Kilgore, Niloy Bhadra

Institutions: MetroHealth, Case Western Reserve University, MetroHealth Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: Neuroscience and Neural Engineering

Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke