Dynamical Diversity in Conductance-Based Neuron Response to kilohertz Electrical Stimulation

Brain neuron networks are notably rich in structure and functioning, consequently rather diverse in their dynamical feedback to stimuli. Thus, accurately characterizing the neural response to external signals is a crucial first step in understanding these networks, which conceivably could enable neuroscience and medical applications. In particular, kilohertz (kHz) neuronal electrical stimulation is a technique capable of inducing behaviors and drives unseen in more conventional lower frequency ranges. This fact could be used in the development of neuromodulation therapies for neurological pathologies, e.g., Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). Here, we investigate neuronal response and excitability of conductance-based models to kHz frequencies stimulation in a still unexplored parameter space region. We show that the dynamics exhibited by the paradigmatic Hodgkin-Huxley model under kilohertz stimulation is highly diverse, displaying from regular spiking to chaotic behavior, as well as regions of complete activity suppression. By extending the analyses to models of mammalian central nervous system regions we show that, despite presenting similar low-frequency dynamics, such neurons tend to respond rather differently under kilohertz. Further, based on dynamical markers, we propose a method for systematically mapping these behaviors on a stimulation parameter space.

These results establish a quantitative framework for ultra-high-frequency neuromodulation protocols, paving the way for future computational neuroscience approaches to stimulation-based procedures.