Multi-scale modeling toolbox for single neuron and subcellular activity under Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Abstract

Background: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a widely used non-invasive brain stimulation method. However, its mechanism of action and the neural response to TMS are still poorly understood. Multi-scale modeling can complement experimental research to study the subcellular neural effects of TMS. At the macroscopic level, sophisticated numerical models exist to estimate the induced electric fields. However, multi-scale computational modeling approaches to predict TMS cellular and subcellular responses, crucial to understanding TMS plasticity inducing protocols, are not available so far. Objective: We develop an open-source multi-scale toolbox Neuron Modeling for TMS (NeMo-TMS) to address this problem. Methods: NeMo-TMS generates accurate neuron models from morphological reconstructions, couples them to the external electric fields induced by TMS, and simulates the cellular and subcellular responses of single-pulse and repetitive TMS. Results: We provide examples showing some of the capabilities of the toolbox. Conclusion: NeMo-TMS toolbox allows researchers a previously not available level of detail and precision in realistically modeling the physical and physiological effects of TMS.

Keywords

• Transcranial magnetic stimulation
• Electric field simulation
• Neuron compartmental modeling
• Calcium simulation
• Three-dimensional reconstructions
• Synaptic plasticity