TY  - JOUR
AU  - de Oliveira Pires, L.
AU  - Wasicki, B.
AU  - Abaei, A.
AU  - Scekic-Zahirovic, J.
AU  - Roselli, F.
AU  - Fernandes, S.
AU  - Bączyk, M.
TI  - A computational model of tsDCS effects in SOD1 mice: from MRI-based design to validation.
JO  - Computers in biology and medicine
VL  - 197
IS  - Pt B
SN  - 0010-4825
CY  - Amsterdam [u.a.]
PB  - Elsevier Science
M1  - DZNE-2025-01137
SP  - 111082
PY  - 2025
AB  - During trans-spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) the transmembrane potential of neurons is modified by an electric field (EF) induced due to externally applied direct current (DC). The resultant functional effects are being harnessed in the treatment of various neurological conditions; however, the fundamental mechanisms of action underlying tsDCS remain unclear. This ambiguity is largely attributed to the limited knowledge of the geometrical constraints of the EF in the polarized spinal regions. It is, then, essential to develop tools that enable researchers to plan tsDCS approaches in a controlled and systematic manner, ensuring the reproducibility of stimulation effects at spinal targets. With this paper, we aim to provide a comprehensive computational model of tsDCS intervention in mice to support further fundamental research in this area. Our model was constructed using high-resolution MRI scans of C57/B6 mice, which were segmented and reconstructed into a realistic mouse computational model. In vivo electrophysiological measurements of voltage gradients in SOD1 G93A mice were used to validate our model predictions in real-life scenarios. In both the modeling and in vivo studies, we employed a rostrocaudal arrangement of DC electrodes to replicate stimulation parameters that have proven effective for modulating murine spinal circuits. Both the computational and in vivo approaches yielded highly consistent results, with EF parameters primarily influenced by the distance between the target site and the tsDCS electrodes. We conclude that this developed model offers high accuracy in EF distribution and can significantly substantiate basic research in tsDCS.
KW  - Animals
KW  - Mice
KW  - Magnetic Resonance Imaging
KW  - Superoxide Dismutase-1: genetics
KW  - Superoxide Dismutase-1: metabolism
KW  - Models, Neurological
KW  - Spinal Cord: diagnostic imaging
KW  - Spinal Cord: physiology
KW  - Computer Simulation
KW  - Mice, Inbred C57BL
KW  - Mice, Transgenic
KW  - Membrane Potentials: physiology
KW  - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Other)
KW  - In vivo electrophysiology (Other)
KW  - MRI (Other)
KW  - Neuromodulation (Other)
KW  - Spinal computational model (Other)
KW  - Superoxide Dismutase-1 (NLM Chemicals)
KW  - Sod1 protein, mouse (NLM Chemicals)
LB  - PUB:(DE-HGF)16
C6  - pmid:40997459
DO  - DOI:10.1016/j.compbiomed.2025.111082
UR  - https://pub.dzne.de/record/281519
ER  -