NeuroRoots, a bio-inspired, seamless brain machine interface for long-term recording in delicate brain regions

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science

Background:

• High-quality brain-machine interfaces require scalable electronic implants with long-term stability and minimal biological disruption.
• Accessing delicate and deep brain regions necessitates advanced implantable technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel biomimetic multi-channel brain implant, termed NeuroRoots, with dimensions, mechanical compliance, and spatial distribution mimicking brain axons.
• To evaluate the efficacy of NeuroRoots for high-density single-unit recording and long-term in vivo stability.

Main Methods:

• Designed NeuroRoots as individual, tendril-like electrodes with dimensions similar to axons (7 μm wide, 1.5 μm thick).
• Utilized a microscale delivery approach for minimally invasive surgical implantation.
• Performed in vitro and in vivo recordings in rat brains, including the cerebellum, during behavioral experiments.

Main Results:

• Achieved high-density single-unit recording from the cerebellum in vitro and in vivo.
• Demonstrated reliable recording of action potentials in various brain regions for over 7 weeks in freely-moving rats without electrode repositioning.
• Confirmed minimal perturbation of neural architectures due to the implant's design and delivery method.

Conclusions:

• NeuroRoots represents a significant advancement in brain implant technology, offering improved integration and stability.
• The axon-like, minimally invasive design facilitates long-term, high-fidelity neural recordings, crucial for next-generation brain-machine interfaces.