Development of a novel, concentric micro-ECoG array enabling simultaneous detection of a single location by multiple...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering
• Epilepsy Research

Background:

• Accurate detection of the epileptogenic zone is crucial for treating drug-resistant epilepsy.
• Current methods for mapping seizure activity may not capture high-frequency oscillations indicative of epileptogenic regions.
• Improved surgical decision-making relies on precise localization of seizure onset and propagation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design, fabricate, and test a novel hybrid, multi-scale micro-electrocorticography (micro-ECoG) array.
• To compare the performance of the novel array against a commercial microelectrode array for neural recordings.
• To evaluate the array's capability in detecting seizure events and high-frequency oscillations.

Main Methods:

• A hybrid, multi-scale micro-ECoG array with embedded configurations was developed.
• Neural activity was recorded in rodent sensory cortex during somatosensory evoked potentials and pilocarpine-induced seizures.
• The novel array's performance was compared to a commercially available Neuronexus microelectrode array.

Main Results:

• The multi-scale array demonstrated comparable evoked potentials and spatial maps to the commercial array.
• Microelectrodes within the multi-scale array showed higher signal amplitudes and power for SSEPs.
• High-frequency oscillations (approx. 450 Hz) and seizure onset events were detected, with microelectrodes exhibiting superior signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

Conclusions:

• The multi-scale micro-ECoG array successfully records neural activity, including high-frequency oscillations, comparable to commercial devices.
• This novel design allows simultaneous macro- and microelectrode recordings from the same cortical area, facilitating direct comparison with standard neurosurgical techniques.
• Accurate mapping of high-frequency oscillations using this technology may enhance surgical outcomes for epilepsy patients.