Control of Seizing Neuronal Networks

Earlier work [1] applied chaos control algorithms to modulate the timing of neuronal population burst events with the idea that changing such interictal dynamic could be used to prevent seizures. This work utilized classical neurophysiological stimulation techniques, specifically pulse‐like current injections, which were limited to exciting new burst events. Building on this work, we have shown that a broadly applied electric field can be used as a more versatile control parameter for interacting with neuronal neurons, able to proportionately excite or suppress average neuronal excitability of large groups of neurons. I’ll discuss both the physics underlying the electric field interaction with neurons, and our recent work [2] interacting with and controlling seizure activity in live neuronal networks.