Techniques to increase the accuracy of the electrical brain stimulation developed

 (a) Structural and characteristics of the brain model computed by the use of magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging. The electrode (blue dot) was positioned on the cerebral fissure movement area and the polarity were set to positive and negative. (b) Range of the activation area for the pyramidal neurons located on the fifth and third layer of the cerebral cortex. Red is the sign of stimulation and the white line is the reaction to the highest stimulation intensity allowed of 20mA. Positive (+) stimulation was concentrated on the fifth layer and negative (-) stimulation effects even to the deep cerebral fissure.

GIST professor Sung Chan Jun has developed more accurate simulation techniques to predict the impact on neuronal activation by electrical stimulation for dementia and brain diseases. Electrical brain stimulation is used to trigger neuronal activation on patients with dementia and brain disease to improve their brain functions. This method is proven and used widely but with limited understanding of how the treatment process works.

The team used computer modelling of the brain from MRI and DTI (diffusion tensor imaging). DTI is a MRI-based neuroimaging technique which makes it possible to visualize the location, orientation, and anisotropy of the brain"s white matter tracts. Then the team virtually combined a pyramidal neurons which acts as the neurotransmitters and by the electrical stimulation, researchers could analysis the predictive area of neuron activation.

The team discovered that different polarity stimulated different sections of the brain. They found the negative polarity stimulated deeper cerebral fissure which controls the hand movements.

Professor Sung Chan Jun said,"Our research with the computer modelling was to predict the treatments of brain diseases by specific area stimulation of individuals. We expect this discovery to be utilized for a better therapeutic strategies for individual patients, increasing the therapeutic effectiveness."

Their paper was published in the Scientific Reports on June 7, 2016.