Efficient microstimulation of the brain: A parametric approach

Microstimulation of brain tissue plays a key role in a variety of sensory prosthetics, clinical therapies and research applications. At present, tailoring the parameters of a stimulation signal to a specific goal relies heavily on parameters from literature. Optimization methods seek to improve tried and tested waveforms developed for specific purposes, however the fundamental understanding of how stimulation parameters interact and the effects these interactions have on brain tissue remains widely unknown. This study explores the interactions between parameters of the constant-current, biphasic square waveform with the intention of developing a stimulation efficient strategy. We find that, the traditional premise of a waveform's effectiveness being dominated by its amplitude does apply, however exceptions are noted which may be of essential importance to the development of electrical stimuli in restrictive paradigms.