Tell your researcher about this to be able to follow neuroplasticity and neurogenesis as it occurs.
https://lirias.kuleuven.be/handle/123456789/362998
Introduction: Brain injuries are a major source of difficult-to-treat
deficits and human disability. Brain lesion cavities are seen in stroke,
brain trauma, congenital brain disorders and after successful resection
of brain tumors and abscesses. Brain computer interfaces offer an
exciting new approach to address deficits resulting from brain lesions.
The idea is to implant mechanically flexible implants that adopt the
shape of the lesion cavity wall and that are covered with electrode
contacts for recording neuronal signals and electrical stimulation. This
should enable us to interact with the residual intact brain tissue and
partially restore functionality by interacting with pathological
circuits.
Aim: The aim of this research is to design and develop a
highly-flexible, biocompatible electrode array that can be used for
long-term recording of neuronal signals.
Methods: Using soft lithography, thin-film (7 micron), net-shaped 4 x
4 electrode arrays were produced. Platinum electrode contacts were
separately embedded in 0.4 mm wide square islands that were connected by
0.2 mm long spring-like structures. This design guarantees flexibility
and optimal adhesion to curved surfaces (cortical gyri and sulci) and
lesion cavities. Platinum contacts were 92 micron in diameter and were
placed at a pitch of 675 micron. These electrode arrays were implanted
on the sensorimotor cortex of healthy rats for histological assessment
of biocompatibility (n=3, ) and for recording evoked potentials (EP,
n=4, repeated measurements up to 4 months after implantation). EP
recording was performed with peripheral stimulation of fore- and
hindlimbs, both ipsi- and contralateral to the electrode array implant.
Results: The electrode arrays adopted the surface of the
sensorimotor cortex in rat and chronic implantation induced no overt
discomfort. Tissue damage due to the implantation procedure was seen
around 300 micron deep, but was comparable to sham implantation
procedures. Preliminary data demonstrate that electrophysiological EP
responses could be recorded over the 4 month follow-up period.
Conclusion: The design of this electrode array allowed implantation
on curved surfaces and can be used for chronic electrophysiological
measurements. One of the possible applications is interaction with the
lesion cavity wall, in order to restore function.
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