Three-dimensional macroporous nanoelectronic networks as minimally invasive brain probes

This seems  like it would be very useful for our stroke researchers to listen in on neurons talking to each other. Then we could maybe find out exactly how neuroplasticity works. Why would a neuron give up its' current task to help out a neighboring neuron? How is that accomplished? Without knowing these answers neuroplasticity is not consistently repeatable. Which means that none of the research into neuroplasticity is valid right now.
The other possibilities for listening in on the brain:

Ultra-flexible, thin-film electrode arrays for chronic neural recording and stimulation of brain cavity wall

New technology facilitates studies of brain cells in stroke

Nanowire Tetrodes

First signals from brain nerve cells with ultrathin nanowires

 

 

 The latest here:

Three-dimensional macroporous nanoelectronic networks as minimally invasive brain probes

• Chong Xie,
• Jia Liu,
• Tian-Ming Fu,
• Xiaochuan Dai,
• Wei Zhou
• & Charles M. Lieber

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Nature Materials

(2015)

doi:10.1038/nmat4427

Received

12 May 2015

Accepted

19 August 2015

Published online

05 October 2015

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Abstract

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Direct electrical recording and stimulation of neural activity using micro-fabricated silicon and metal micro-wire probes have contributed extensively to basic neuroscience and therapeutic applications; however, the dimensional and mechanical mismatch of these probes with the brain tissue limits their stability in chronic implants and decreases the neuron–device contact. Here, we demonstrate the realization of a three-dimensional macroporous nanoelectronic brain probe that combines ultra-flexibility and subcellular feature sizes to overcome these limitations. Built-in strains controlling the local geometry of the macroporous devices are designed to optimize the neuron/probe interface and to promote integration with the brain tissue while introducing minimal mechanical perturbation. The ultra-flexible probes were implanted frozen into rodent brains and used to record multiplexed local field potentials and single-unit action potentials from the somatosensory cortex. Significantly, histology analysis revealed filling-in of neural tissue through the macroporous network and attractive neuron–probe interactions, consistent with long-term biocompatibility of the device.