Yes, this is not clear (as far as I know). The direct effect of inserting current pulses is to excite neurons. However, this is followed by a period of inhibit

Yes, this is not clear (as far as I know). The direct effect of inserting current pulses is to excite neurons. However, this is followed by a period of inhibition. I am not sure of the cellular mechanisms. A reasonable review (with full text) is found here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2200868/ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2200868/ The review details the suggestions that there are both excitatory and inhibitory effects of DBS. Another paper I know of is http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19864437 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19864437 which goes into excitatory and inhibitory effects in cortex.