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Multimodal neural interface

Multimodal neural interface

The information exchange among different brain regions is carried out via two types of signaling mechanisms: electric signals (eg. action potentials) and chemical signals (eg. neurotransmitters. The coordinated actions from action potentials and neurotransmitters with complex temporal and spatial patterns eventually manifest into physiological behaviors and high-level cognitive functions. Complex neural ensembles process multi-dimensional information such as electrophysiology, neurotransmitter release, and cell type specific responses to mediate high-level cognitive functions such as learning and decision-making. Current state-of-the-art multi-electrode arrays (MEAs) mostly focus on capturing electrical patterns of neural ensembles and do not provide information about other modalities, such as the transmission of neurotransmitters. Also, conventional MEAs can only deliver electrical stimulations to neural tissue that might activate different types of neurons non-specifically.

To capture multimodal data from neural tissue, we leveraged the versatility of conducting polymer as coating material to functionalize MEAs that enables neurochemical detection as well as controlled drug release. For dopamine (DA) sensing and electrophysiology recording, we fabricated implantable flexible MEAs and coated electrode sites with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/acid functionalized carbon nanotube (PEDOT/CNT) conducting polymer coating to enable DA sensing capability.

For electrically controlled neurochemical (Glutamate(Glu)/Gamma-Aminobutyric acid(GABA)) release and recording, PEDOT doped with mesoporous sulfonated silica nanoparticle (PEDOT/SNP) is used to achieve controlled release of GABA/Glu.

Relevant publications

  • B. Wu, E. Castagnola, C. A. McClung, X. T. Cui, PEDOT/CNT Flexible MEAs Reveal New Insights into the Clock Gene's Role in Dopamine Dynamics. Adv. Sci. 2024, 2308212. https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202308212
  • MH Malekoshoaraie & B Wu et al. Fully flexible implantable neural probes for electrophysiology recording and controlled neurochemical modulation. Microsystems & Nanoengineering, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41378-024-00685-6