Pulsed electric fields are extensively utilized in clinical treatments, such as subthalamic deep brain stimulation, where electric field loading is in direct contact with brain tissue. However, the alterations in brain tissue’s mechanical properties and microstructure due to changes in electric field parameters have not received adequate attention. In this study, the mechanical properties and microstructure of the brain tissue under pulsed electric fields were focused on. Herein, a custom indentation device was equipped with a module for electric field loading. Parameters such as pulse amplitude and frequency were adjusted. The results demonstrated that following an indentation process lasting 5 s and reaching a depth of 1000 μm, and a relaxation process of 175 s, the average shear modulus of brain tissue was reduced, and viscosity decreased. At the same amplitude, high-frequency pulsed electric fields had a smaller effect on brain tissue than low-frequency ones. Furthermore, pulsed electric fields induced cell polarization and reduced the proteoglycan concentration in brain tissue. As pulse frequency increased, cell polarization diminished, and proteoglycan concentration decreased significantly. High-frequency pulsed electric fields applied to brain tissue were found to reduce impedance fluctuation amplitude. This study revealed the effect of pulsed electric fields on the mechanical properties and microstructure of ex vivo brain tissue, providing essential information to promote the advancement of brain tissue electrotherapy in clinical settings.

脉冲电场广泛应用于临床治疗，例如丘脑深部脑刺激，其中电场负载与脑组织直接接触。然而，电场参数变化引起的脑组织力学性能和微观结构的改变尚未得到足够的重视。本研究重点关注脉冲电场下脑组织的机械性能和微观结构。在此，定制压痕装置配备有用于电场加载的模块。调整脉冲幅度和频率等参数。结果表明，经过持续5 s、深度为1000 μm的压入过程和175 s的松弛过程，脑组织的平均剪切模量降低，粘度降低。在相同幅度下，高频脉冲电场对脑组织的影响小于低频脉冲电场。此外，脉冲电场诱导细胞极化并降低脑组织中的蛋白聚糖浓度。随着脉冲频率增加，细胞极化减弱，蛋白多糖浓度显着降低。发现施加到脑组织的高频脉冲电场可以降低阻抗波动幅度。该研究揭示了脉冲电场对离体脑组织机械性能和微观结构的影响，为促进脑组织电疗在临床环境中的进步提供了重要信息。