A comparative study of neuropathologic changes following pulsed and direct current stimulation of the mouse sciatic nerve.

A controlled study was undertaken to determine whether potentially harmful neuropathologic changes occur in a nerve stimulated with direct current or pulsed current in an experimental setting simulating a clinical procedure. Pulsed current stimulation for 5 and 25 seconds' duration produced nonspecific inflammatory changes similar to those observed in nonstimulated control nerves. Equivalent direct current stimulation produced not only frequent myelin degeneration but also occasional axon degeneration. The pulsed current stimulator thus appears to be equally effective yet far safer than the direct current stimulator.