Mechanistic Insights into Anterolateral System Modulation with Conventional and Burst Stimulation

Synopsis

Evoked compound action potentials (ECAPs) from both the dorsal columns and the anterolateral system (ALS) in sheep were used to quantify neural activation with burst and conventional spinal cord stimulation (SCS). When dosed equivalently, no statistically significant difference in neural activation was noted between both stimulation modalities. Sub-threshold SCS resulted in no change in neural activation, while supra-threshold SCS potentiated ALS excitability in an equivalent manner for both modalities. We postulate that differences noted previously between burst and conventional SCS results from non-equivalent dosing between these stimulation modalities.

Disclosures

• Authors Dinsmoor and Usoro are employees of Medtronic plc. 
• Author Poree has stock options in Nalu, and has received research funding from Abbott, Nalu, and Saluda; he is a consultant for Nalu, Saluda, and Medtronic. 
• This work was funded by Medtronic plc.