A microscopic chip records neural activity and release drugs in the brain

A multidisciplinary team from the National Research Council in Spain (CSIC), the Technological Research Centre of Ikerlan and the Engineering Research Institute of Aragon, Zaragoza University, has developed a microscopic probe which can be used to record neuronal activity and deliver drugs at the same time in the brain.

The new device, flexible and biocompatible, is fabricated on a polymer, which can interact at microscopic scales never before achieved. It has been tested experimentally in living rats.

The development, described in a paper published in the journal 'Lab on a Chip', represents a step further in the pharmacological, genetic and electrical intervention in order to study the neuronal activity, as it improves the circuits and miniature devices fabricated on silicon substrates.

"In many cases, detection of epilepsy, Parkinson's and Alzheimer can only be done through semi-chronic electrodes implanted in the brain of patients. Therefore, the technologies used for this purpose must be as least invasive as possible and ensure biocompatibility and the integrity of neuronal circuits adjacent to the implant, "says Liset Menendez de la Prida, scientific coordinator of the project.

New device designed by Spanish researchers

The new device is manufactured on the SU-8 polymer and it is able to integrate analysis of the neuronal activity at microscopic level with the use of fluidic channels for drug application.

"The design diverge from silicon implants, which are more rigid in comparison and still have side effects, something that limited the final expansion of this technique for the development of brain-machine interfaces," says Rosa Villa, a researcher at the Institute of Microelectronics Barcelona.

Ane Altuna, Ikerlan researcher and head of the technological part, states: "We have managed to provide a novel approach in manufacturing and design, which allowed us to integrate the electrodes at the same level as the surface of the polymer. The subsequent integration of the fluidic channels was performed using lithographic techniques and development of an encapsulation system which ensures recording and simultaneous release of the drug. "

Researchers are now looking for companies interested in their patent in order to produce this technology on a large scale. To do this, they have started to design a program in beta phase to test the new device in human users with the aim of designing prototypes oriented to biomedical application.

CSIC press release (in Spanish)