Objectives
The use of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) in treatment of various brain disorders is
constantly growing; however, the number of studies of the reaction of the brain tissue
toward implanted leads is still limited. Therefore, the aim of our study was to analyze
the impact of DBS leads on brain tissue in a large animal model using minipigs.
Methods
Twelve female animals, one control and eleven with bilaterally implanted DBS electrodes
were used in our experiment. 3, 6, and 12 months after implantation the animals were
sacrificed, perfused and the brains were removed. Tissue blocks containing the lead
tracks were dissected, frozen, sectioned into 40 µm sections and stained using Nissl
and Eosin, anti-GFAPab or Isolectin. The tissue reaction was analyzed at five levels,
following from the distal lead tip, to compare tissue response in stimulated and nonstimulated
areas: four segments along each level of electrodes, and the fifth level lying outside
the electrode area (control area). The sections were described both qualitatively
and quantitatively. Quantitative assessment of the reaction to the implanted electrode
was based on the measurement of the area covered by the staining and the thickness
of the glial scar.
Results and Conclusions
Tissue reaction was, on average, limited to distance of 500 μm from the lead track.
The tissue response after 12 months was weaker than after 6 months confirming that
it stabilizes over a time. There was no histological evidence that the stimulated
part of the electrode triggered different tissue response than its nonstimulated part.
Keywords:
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COMMENT
Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
December 6,
2016
Received in revised form:
November 21,
2016
Received:
September 20,
2016
Footnotes
For more information on author guidelines, an explanation of our peer review process, and conflict of interest informed consent policies, please go to http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/Section/id-301854.html
Source of financial support: The study was financed by Aleva Neurotherapeutics and Clinical Institute, Aarhus University.
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 International Neuromodulation Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
