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Neural stimulation is a developing technology that has beneficial therapeutic effects in neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease. Although much progress has been made, implanted devices deteriorate over time and cause scarring in neural tissue. In a recently published article, Takashi DY Kozai, of the University of Pittsburgh, detailed a less invasive stimulation method that would utilize a light-activated, unattached ultrasmallonne electrode, a technique that can mitigate the damage done by current methods. .
"Typically with neural stimulation, in order to maintain the connection between the mind and the machine, there is a transcutaneous cable from the electrode implanted inside the brain to a controller located at the center of the brain. outside the body, "said Kozai, badistant professor of bioengineering at Pitt's Swanson. School of engineers. "The movements of the brain or this attachment cause inflammation, scarring, and other undesirable effects." We hope to reduce some of the damage by replacing this large cable with long-wave light and a non-wavelength electrode. attached. "
Kaylene Stocking, a student in bioengineering and computer engineering, was the first author of the article titled "Intracortical Neural Stimulation with Uncoupled Ultrasmall Carbon Fiber Electrodes Induced by the Photoelectric Effect". She is working with the Kozai group – the Bionic Lab – to study how researchers can improve the longevity of neural implant technology. This work was done in collaboration with Alberto Vasquez, badociate professor of research in radiology and bioengineering at Pitt.
The photoelectric effect occurs when a particle of light, or a photon, strikes an object and causes a local change in electrical potential. The Kozai group discovered its benefits while doing other imaging research. According to the publication of Einstein of 1905 on this effect, they expected to see the electric photocurrents only at ultraviolet wavelengths (high energy photons), but they lived a different experience.
"When the photoelectric effect contaminated our electrophysiological recording when imaging with a near-infrared laser (low-energy photons), we were a little surprised," Kozai explained. "It turned out that the initial equation had to be modified in order to explain this result.We tried many strategies to eliminate this photoelectric artifact, but without success at every attempt, so we transformed the "bug" in "functionality". "
"Our group decided to use this feature of the photoelectric effect to our advantage in neural stimulation," Stocking said. "We used the electric potential shift with a near infrared laser to activate an unattached electrode in the brain."
The lab created a carbon fiber implant 7 to 8 microns in diameter, about the size of a neuron (17 to 27 microns), and Stocking simulated their method on a ghost brain at the same time. using a two-photon microscope. She measured the properties and badyzed the effects to see if the electrical potential of the photoelectric effect stimulated the cells in a manner similar to traditional neural stimulation.
"We have discovered that photostimulation is effective," said Stocking. "The temperature increases were not significant, which decreased the risk of heat damage, and the activated cells were closer to the electrode than during electrical stimulation under conditions similar, which indicates increased spatial accuracy. "
"What we did not think to see is that this method of photoelectric stimulation allows us to stimulate a different and more discrete population of neurons than we could get with electrical stimulation." "This gives researchers an additional tool in their toolbox to explore the neural circuits in the nervous system."
"We had many critics who did not believe in the mathematical modifications made to Einstein's original photoelectric equation, but we believed in the approach and even filed a patent application" (says US20170326381A1), said Kozai. "This is testimony to Kaylene's hard work and diligence in turning a theory into a well-controlled validation of technology."
The Kozai group is currently exploring other ways to advance this technology, including reaching deeper tissues and dispensing wireless drugs.
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Material provided by University of Pittsburgh. Note: Content can be changed for style and length.
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