Monopolar and bipolar stimulation of the brain

¹ Departments of Pharmacology and Physics, The University of Rochester, Rochester, New York

Intracranial self-stimulation experiments in the dog using a two-wire electrode, with each wire used as a monopolar electrode and the combination as a bipolar electrode, show that monopolar stimulation may produce either a higher or a lower rate of response than that produced by bipolar stimulation. A theoretical consideration of the changes in current density around the electrode when it is changed from a monopolar to a bipolar electrode shows that such differences are to be expected. The exact location of the structure being stimulated with reference to the two electrode tips will determine whether the structure is subjected to a higher current density on monopolar or on bipolar stimulation.

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