Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a promising treatment for neurological and psychiatric disorders. It acts by altering brain networks and facilitating synaptic plasticity. For enhancing cognitive functions, the central thalamus (CT) has been shown to be a potential DBS target. The network-level mechanisms contributing to the effect exerted by DBS on the CT (CT-DBS) remain unknown. In NTK lab, we combining CT-DBS with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to explore brain areas activated while applying CT-DBS in rats, using a newly developed neural probe that was compatible with MRI and could minimize the image distortion and resolve safety issues. We also extend CT-DBS to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) animal model to recover the cognitive deficits in social interaction.

Li, Ssu-Ju, et al. Neuroscience 440 (2020): 65-84. proposed that our MR compatible neural probe could minimize the image distortion and resolve safety issues and thus is beneficial for application in MRI examination of the CT-DBS enhanced cognitive functions. DBS-induced better learning performance was found to be associated with an increase in functional connectivity (FC) of corticostriatal, corticolimbic, and thalamocortical networks and neuroplasticity. Therefore, the data from the present study are of potential significance in electrical manipulation at the circuit level and may lay the groundwork for new approaches to other cognitive disabilities in learning and memory.