Hacking the Brain: Opportunities in Soft Wireless Bioelectronics
Abstract
Traditional techniques used to determine neuron activity in cognitive function, such as penetrating or surface-mounted electrodes, severely limit the comprehensive study of the brain. Such methods confound thermal effects, lack cell-type specificity, cause long term tissue damage, and require the tethering of experimental animals. Eliminating these obstacles, wireless, in vivo optogenetic platforms increase diversity of application and experimental complexity, while enabling highly controlled targeting of regions of interest. However, current optogenetic devices are limited by size, weight, and wireless area coverage. In this study, two fully implantable, wireless devices are developed to mitigate these restrictions, a single-channel system allowing optogenetic control and a multi-channel optoelectronic system permitting both optogenetic control and monitoring of neuronal activity in vivo. Operating at wavelengths ranging from UV to blue, yellow, and red, the devices developed utilize microscale light-emitting diodes (LEDs), referred to as micro-LEDs, connected to subdermal magnetic coil antennas for optogenetic control. The resulting devices permit highly controlled stimulation or inhibition of neuronal activity spanning the dimensions of the cage environment, while remaining light-weight and power efficient. These devices permit the investigation of a broad range of cerebral functions including migraines and psychiatric disorders, allowing for deeper understanding of mechanisms and improved treatment.
Citation
Wilcox, Stephanie A (2018). Hacking the Brain: Opportunities in Soft Wireless Bioelectronics. Undergraduate Research Scholars Program. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /194471.