Patent US 6,850,802

Methods of electrically stimulating neural tissue of the brain are disclosed. A first electrode is placed in close proximity with tissue of a patient's brain (e.g., in the brain, or on or near the surface of the brain). A hyperpolariziag electrical pre-pulse is applied to the tissue through the first electrode wherein the tissue is more susceptible to subsequent electric stimulation. A subsequent depolarizing electrical pulse is applied to the tissue through the first electrode wherein an action potential is generated in the tissue.