Asymmetric charge-balanced stimulation waveforms are defined and used for CNS stimulation with selective stimulation of either neuronal cell bodies or axon fibers of passage in favor of the other. A pre-pulse is followed by an opposite polarity stimulation pulse, with the pre-pulse being relatively low-amplitude and long-duration as compared to the stimulation pulse. The pre-pulse and stimulation pulse are charge-balanced to prevent tissue damage and electrode corrosion. The polarity of the pre-pulse and stimulation pulse control the selectivity of stimulation with respect to neuronal cell bodies versus axon fibers of passage. The waveform used in the stimulation method optionally includes a zero-amplitude phase having a duration of 0 to 500 microseconds.
Waveforms for selective stimulation of central nervous system neurons