Mechanisms of Habituation: Brain, Pain and Beyond
Part of Habituation: The Silent Killer of Neuromodulation Efficacy
Details
- Date
- Friday, January 22, 2027
- Time
- 7:20 AM – 7:30 AM
- Session type
- Breakfast Session
- Schedule
- See this day
About
This session will comprehensively examine habituation, currently the biggest problem facing neuromodulation. Defined as development of inadequate pain relief after acute success, despite appropriate stimulation coverage and that cannot be explained by a hardware-related issue, habituation is the leading cause of device explant. Habituation to neuromodulation interventions is not unique to pain disorders and occurs across other conditions such as tinnitus and movement disorder. This session will explore the various facets of habituation and its impact on neuromodulation interventions. Specifically, a deep dive into the history of habituation, its definition, incidence among different forms of spinal neuromodulation and its impact will be undertaken. Given its far reaching effects on various nervous system processes, its mechanisms will be explored including brain effects and impact on cranial neuromodulation interventions. Finally, best practice strategies to best manage habituation will be reviewed with a reference to future research directions.
Presenters
-
Kenneth Baker, Ph.D. is Associate Staff in the Department of Neurosciences at the Lerner Research Institute and holds a secondary appointment in the Center for Neurological Restoration within the Neurological Institute of the Cleveland Clinic. He is co-director of the Center of Excellence in Translational Therapies for Post-Stroke Rehabilitation at the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Baker earned his Ph.D. at the University of Arizona followed by a fellowship in Movement Disorders Research in the Department of Neurology at the Cleveland Clinic. He has over twenty years of experience in deep brain stimulation, both clinically and through studies in preclinical laboratory models. His research interests emphasize the therapeutic application and mechanisms of neurostimulation-based approaches to neurologic and psychiatric disease, with a particular focus on the use of deep brain stimulation for the treatment of stroke, traumatic brain injury, and movement disorders. Current NIH-supported projects in his lab include preclinical work focused on 1) optimizing deep cerebellar stimulation to enhance chronic, post-stroke and post-traumatic brain injury rehabilitation and 2) developing and evaluating novel DBS targets and paradigms to enhance therapeutic outcomes for patients with movement disorders.