Stretchable Multilevel Mesh Brain Electrodes for Neuroplasticity in Glioma Patients Undergoing Surgery

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Neuroscience
• Medical Devices

Background:

• Surgical treatment for brain diseases often causes neurological dysfunction.
• Traditional brain-computer interfaces are unsuitable for post-tumor resection patients due to infection and hair interference.
• Electroencephalogram (EEG)-based neuroplasticity studies are crucial for nerve function recovery and rehabilitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate novel stretchable multilevel mesh brain electrodes for high-quality EEG acquisition in post-tumor resection patients.
• To investigate the impact of recurrent glioblastoma on brain activity using EEG.
• To assess the potential of EEG monitoring for tracking neurological recovery and rehabilitation.

Main Methods:

• Development of stretchable multilevel mesh brain electrodes with a thermally reversible hydrogel interface.
• Conformal attachment of electrodes to the curved brain surface, avoiding hair blockage.
• Application of the novel electrodes for preoperative and postoperative EEG monitoring in recurrent glioblastoma patients.

Main Results:

• Discovery of significant inhibitory effects of tumors on brain activity (a-wave signals).
• Demonstration of gradual enhancement in EEG signals correlating with patient postoperative recovery.
• Mutual confirmation of EEG signal changes with Karnofsky score results, indicating recovery progress.

Conclusions:

• The developed stretchable electrodes provide a viable solution for high-quality EEG monitoring in challenging post-surgical conditions.
• EEG monitoring can effectively reveal tumor-induced brain activity suppression and track neurological recovery.
• The findings support the potential of EEG-based neuroplasticity studies for guiding neurological rehabilitation in adult patients.