Ethanol’s Effect on ECAPs in Closed-Loop Spinal Cord Stimulation
Major
Neuroscience
Submission Type
Poster
Area of Study or Work
Neuroscience
Faculty Advisor
Joe Williams
Location
CNS Atrium
Start Date
4-11-2026 8:30 AM
End Date
4-11-2026 9:45 AM
Abstract
Chronic pain affects 20% of the global population, and is treated with a variety of medications such as opioids. However, there are a large percentage of patients that have not responded well to these treatments, and/or experience a variety of negative side effects. Over the years a different form of chronic pain treatment has emerged that applies an oscillating electric field to the dorsal section of the spinal cord via an electrode implanted into the epidural space. The most common early form of SCS is known as open-loop, which records set stimulation parameters that do not readily vary throughout treatment and can only be adjusted at the beginning of each session. The more dynamic and updated form of SCS is the closed-loop system, which relies on evoked compound action potentials (ECAPs). ECAPs are electrical signals produced (evoked) by a group of nerve fibers firing with one another, allowing for real time biological information (activity level of nerve fibers) to be analyzed. Closed-loop SCS uses ECAPs to automatically adjust stimulation parameters in real time (second by second). However, most chronic pain patients also consume other substances while receiving treatment such as alcohol. Alcohol can negatively impact ECAPs as alcohol is a depressant and can decrease neuronal firing. This study explores the impact of ethanol on ECAPs in closed-loop SCS, specifically in a sciatic nerve injury model in Sprague-Dawley rats. Each rat will be awake and undergo different trials being injected with ethanol or saline during closed-loop SCS, as well as undergoing behavioral testing with a Von Frey Aesthesiometer, to measure paw sensitivity. The results between the saline and ethanol trials will be discussed.
Ethanol’s Effect on ECAPs in Closed-Loop Spinal Cord Stimulation
CNS Atrium
Chronic pain affects 20% of the global population, and is treated with a variety of medications such as opioids. However, there are a large percentage of patients that have not responded well to these treatments, and/or experience a variety of negative side effects. Over the years a different form of chronic pain treatment has emerged that applies an oscillating electric field to the dorsal section of the spinal cord via an electrode implanted into the epidural space. The most common early form of SCS is known as open-loop, which records set stimulation parameters that do not readily vary throughout treatment and can only be adjusted at the beginning of each session. The more dynamic and updated form of SCS is the closed-loop system, which relies on evoked compound action potentials (ECAPs). ECAPs are electrical signals produced (evoked) by a group of nerve fibers firing with one another, allowing for real time biological information (activity level of nerve fibers) to be analyzed. Closed-loop SCS uses ECAPs to automatically adjust stimulation parameters in real time (second by second). However, most chronic pain patients also consume other substances while receiving treatment such as alcohol. Alcohol can negatively impact ECAPs as alcohol is a depressant and can decrease neuronal firing. This study explores the impact of ethanol on ECAPs in closed-loop SCS, specifically in a sciatic nerve injury model in Sprague-Dawley rats. Each rat will be awake and undergo different trials being injected with ethanol or saline during closed-loop SCS, as well as undergoing behavioral testing with a Von Frey Aesthesiometer, to measure paw sensitivity. The results between the saline and ethanol trials will be discussed.