Effect of electrical current on temperature and pH in cerebellum and spinal cord.

Electrical currents similar to those used for relief of pain and spasticity were applied to the spinal cord and cerebellum of monkeys and cats. Direct coupled monopolar pulses increased pH at the tissue surface near a negative electrode and correspondingly decreased the pH near a positive electrode. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation around the electrodes neutralized these changes. Capacitively coupled currents up to a 10 mA peak and 2.5 mucoul per peak failed to change tissue pH measurably. Current levels with power densities of 100 mW per cm2 did not cause any change in tissue temperature.