Researchers create device that listens to brain cells and talks back to them
Scientists have built a bioelectronic chip that simultaneously records neural activity and releases drugs at the exact same spot, opening the door to smarter implants that can sense and self-correct brain disorders like epilepsy without human intervention. The breakthrough could reshape how companies develop next-generation medical devices and neurotechnology therapies.
Originaltitel: Bioelectronic neural pixel: Chemical stimulation and electrical sensing at the same site
Linköpings universitet har utvecklat en bioelektronisk "neural pixel" som kombinerar kemisk stimulering och elektrisk avläsning på samma mikroskopiska plats. Enheten använder organiska elektroniska ledande polymerelektroder för att registrera epileptiforme urladdningar i musens hippocampus samtidigt som den levererar GABA (gammaaminosmörsyra), en inhibitorisk neurotransmittor, direkt genom samma elektroder via en organisk elektronisk jonpump. GABA-tillförsel stoppade epileptiforna aktiviteter som uppmättes in situ. Tekniken öppnar vägar för implanterbar terapi med automatiserad återkoppling, där lokalt registrerade signaler styr lokal frisättning av specifika läkemedel. För aktörer inom medicinteknologi och neurologisk farmakologi blir detta relevant — möjligheten att sätta båda funktioner på en enhet i cellskala minskar invasivitet och ökar behandlingens effektivitet. Utvecklingsvägen från experimentell modell till klinisk tillämpning kräver ytterligare validering, men konceptet signalerar en ny arkitektur för neuromodulationsterapier.
<p>Local control of neuronal activity is central to many therapeutic strategies aiming to treat neurological disorders. Arguably, the best solution would make use of endogenous highly localized and specialized regulatory mechanisms of neuronal activity, and an ideal therapeutic technology should sense activity and deliver endogenous molecules at the same site for the most efficient feedback regulation. Here, we address this challenge with an organic electronic multifunctional device that is capable of chemical stimulation and electrical sensing at the same site, at the single-cell scale. Conducting polymer electrodes recorded epileptiform discharges induced in mouse hippocampal preparation. The inhibitory neurotransmitter, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), was then actively delivered through the recording electrodes via organic electronic ion pump technology. GABA delivery stopped epileptiform activity, recorded simultaneously and colocally. This multifunctional “neural pixel” creates a range of opportunities, including implantable therapeutic devices with automated feedback, where locally recorded signals regulate local release of specific therapeutic agents.</p>