Micron-scale wireless electrical stimulation suppresses seizure-Like activity via GABAergic modulation in hippocampal...

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by abnormal neuronal discharges, often presenting as recurrent seizures, impaired consciousness, and other neurological impairments. Traditional wireless neuromodulation methods are constrained by limited spatial resolution and diffuse electromagnetic coverage, restricting their precision in targeting epileptogenic zones. In this study, we developed a micron-scale wireless electrical stimulation (ES) device based on magnetic inductive coupling to address these limitations and enable focal neuromodulation. For the first time, temporally patterned ES protocols were applied to hippocampal brain slices from juvenile rats exhibiting chemically induced epileptiform activity. To probe the underlying mechanism, the GABA receptor antagonist Bicuculline (BIC) was administered. The results revealed that ES significantly reduced the amplitude, duration, and frequency of epileptiform discharges. Upon BIC application, these suppressive effects were notably reversed, suggesting that the therapeutic action of ES is mediated, at least in part, through GABAergic pathways. This work provides novel insight into the mechanistic basis and therapeutic potential of micron-scale wireless stimulation for epilepsy intervention, and lays a foundation for its future clinical translation in neuromodulation strategies.