How the Macroscopic Electric Field Shape Spatio-temporal Response of Neurons by Electroconvulsive Therapy

This study explored the effect of macroscopic electric fields induced by electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on voltage-gated ion channels of neurons. Based on the data provided by the multi-scale models, the mathematical models of the influence of the macroscopic electric field on the neuronal cell membrane potential are established. This paper introduces a computational ECT model in which biophysics of stimulation and neurophysiology are combined. The macroscopic field model is combined with the mesoscopic nerve morphology to provide the accurate vector of field for the microscopic nerve fiber bundle. Under the influence of external stimuli of ECT, the spatio-temporal response of cell membrane potentials is calculated with microsecond time resolution. The presented model gives insight in the activity propagation through the brain and can therefore explain the observed clinical responses to ECT and their inter- and/or intra-subject variability. We aspire to advance towards an accurate, flexible and personalized ECT model that helps to understand stimulation in the connected brain and to target more accurate and deeper brain regions.