Neural recording technology shows promise for brain-machine interfaces

The team from the Institute for Research on Next-generation Semiconductor and Sensing Science (IRES²) at the Toyohashi University of Technology, National Institute of Technology, Ibaraki College, and TechnoPro R&D Company made their breakthrough with a needle-electrode with a diameter of 4µm. Their findings are detailed in Biosensors and Bioelectronics.

The researchers said that recording neuronal activity within diabetic brain tissue is particularly challenging due to various complications, including the development of cerebrovascular disease. Because of the significant advantage of the miniaturised needle-electrode compared to conventional technologies, the needle electrode minimised tissue injury and enabled stable recording for a month.

“Our challenge was to develop a technique to record neuronal activities from a mouse model of diabetes. Our technique successfully recorded neuronal activity in diabetic mice while minimising tissue responses. These findings suggest that our electrode can be applied to various damaged brain tissues, not only diabetes but also other diseases,” said first authors of the article, masters student Rioki Sanda and PhD Koji Yamashita.

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Diabetes is known to cause various complications, including the development of cerebrovascular disease, which is closely linked to Alzheimer’s disease. In the study of brain diseases, quantitative analysis through recording of neuronal activities with microelectrodes holds great potential, but recording from diabetic brains is expected to be more challenging due to the complications associated with electrode penetration.

In a statement, research lead Professor Takeshi Kawano said: “Diabetes is a complex disease known to cause various complications, particularly vascular disorders. These disorders can lead to gangrene in the limbs, ultimately necessitating amputation.

“Brain-machine interface [BMI] technology holds immense promise in assisting patients who have lost limbs, enabling them to control artificial limbs through brain signals. However, the penetration of conventional electrodes into diabetic brain tissues induces damage, making the application of BMI technology in these patients considerably riskier than others. Recognising this crucial need, we launched a project to develop a low-invasive recording technique specifically for patients suffering from diabetes-related vascular disorders.”

The team aims to expand the technology’s reach to other animal models, including rats and monkeys, to accelerate the development of next-generation BMIs with greater efficacy and wider applicability.