Comparison of Machine Learning Surrogate Models for Prediction of Single-Fiber Activation in Deep Brain Stimulation
Journal:
bioRxiv
Published Date:
May 15, 2026
Abstract
Machine-learning surrogate models are positioned to help optimize deep brain stimulation (DBS) usage by predicting neural activation in response to electrical stimulation, while minimizing tradeoffs between computational expense and accuracy. Previous work has developed high accuracy artificial neural network (ANN) and convolutional neural network (CNN) surrogate models that predict activation of individual, myelinated axons, to extracellular electrical stimulation for subsets of DBS programming configurations. Moreover, more traditional machine learning methods including extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) have been used effectively for peripheral-nerve single-fiber activation predictions. We build upon the previous work and compare ANN, CNN and XGBoost methods to a much expanded set of electrode programming configurations including: monopolar, bipolar, tripolar, quadrupolar, multiple monopolar, and multiple cases of directional leads. Training used datasets generated from a finite-element model of an implanted DBS lead together with multi-compartment cable models of synthetically generated axons. We evaluated the machine learning predictors using white matter pathways derived from group-averaged connectome data within a patient-specific tissue conductivity field, comparing both predicted stimulus activation thresholds and pathway recruitment across a clinically relevant range of stimulus amplitudes and pulse widths. Our ANN and CNN models successfully predicted neural fiber activation for almost all electrode configurations with low error, expanding the scope of our previous predictor model. Results also showed key limitations of XGBoost models and superior performance of CNNs for more complex electrostatic fields of the directional leads.
