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Dexamethasone-loaded platelet-inspired nanoparticles improve intracortical microelectrode recording performance
Longshun Li1,2, Aniya Hartzler1, Dhariyat M Menendez-Lustri1,2
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Nature Communications
|September 29, 2025
Summary
Platelet-inspired nanoparticles loaded with dexamethasone sodium phosphate (DEXSPPIN) improved long-term neural recording quality. This novel treatment reduced neuroinflammation and neuron degeneration, enhancing brain-machine interface performance.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Neuroscience
- Materials Science
Background:
- Intracortical microelectrode (IME) insertion triggers neuroinflammation, impacting brain-machine interface (BMI) performance.
- Blood-brain barrier (BBB) leakage and microhemorrhage post-IME insertion exacerbate neuroinflammation and degrade neural recording quality.
- Effective strategies are needed to mitigate neuroinflammation and improve long-term IME functionality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate dexamethasone sodium phosphate-loaded platelet-inspired nanoparticles (DEXSPPIN) for mitigating neuroinflammation and enhancing IME recording performance.
- To assess DEXSPPIN's dual role in promoting local hemostasis and targeted drug delivery at the implant site.
- To investigate the long-term effects of DEXSPPIN treatment on neural recording quality and tissue response.
Main Methods:
- Rats received weekly systemic treatment with DEXSPPIN or control therapy for 8 weeks post-IME implantation.
- Extracellular single-unit recording performance was evaluated throughout the 8-week period.
- End-point immunohistochemistry was performed to analyze neuron density, glial cell activation (microglia/macrophages, astrocytes), and BBB permeability.
Main Results:
- DEXSPPIN treatment significantly enhanced IME recording capabilities compared to controls over 8 weeks.
- Immunohistochemistry revealed reduced neuron degeneration and neuroinflammation in DEXSPPIN-treated rats.
- Treatment correlated with decreased activated microglia/macrophage and astrocyte densities and reduced BBB permeability.
Conclusions:
- DEXSPPIN treatment effectively promotes an anti-inflammatory environment at the IME implant site.
- This anti-inflammatory action improves neuronal density and enhances long-term neural recording performance.
- DEXSPPIN represents a promising therapeutic approach for improving BMI functionality in patients.
