The development of implantable neural electrode technology has become a key research tool in the precise analysis of neural circuits. However, achieving long-term stable neural electrode interfaces for in vivo applications remains a challenge.
In response to this, the research team led by Dr. Lu Yi at the Institute of Brain Cognition and Brain Disorders of the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has successfully developed a highly robust implantable neural electrode interface. They have achieved long-term tracking and recording of neuronal electrical activity at the in vivo level, providing crucial technical support for the in-depth analysis of brain cognition and brain disorders. This achievement was recently published in Advanced Healthcare Materials.
The long-term reliability of electrode interface functionality not only depends on its biocompatibility but also crucially relies on mechanical stability and electrochemical stability during chronic implantation.
The research team successfully utilized in-situ electrochemical deposition techniques to form a layer of nano gold particles on the electrode interface. Subsequently, by employing self-assembly principles, they ingeniously introduced carboxyl groups with negative charges onto the surface of the nano gold particles. Leveraging the interaction forces between charges, the team further firmly connected conductive polymers with positive charges to the surface of the nano gold particles through electrochemical polymerization, thus constructing a neural interface modification layer.
This strategy not only significantly expanded the electroactive area of the electrode interface but also effectively dispersed interface stress, thereby markedly enhancing the overall performance of the electrode interface.
The research team confirmed that the proposed method effectively strengthened the bond between the conductive polymer modification layer and the rigid electrode, demonstrating outstanding electrochemical and mechanical stability. By applying this neural electrode to the dorsal hippocampal region of mice and conducting long-term functional verification, the neural electrode exhibited excellent performance, successfully recording the electrical activity of more high signal-to-noise ratio neurons.
This discovery confirms the ability of this neural electrode to continuously capture high-quality, stable long-term electrophysiological signals in vivo. It further validates the potential of this neural electrode array to provide robust long-term tracking of the same neurons in live animals, offering strong support for the analysis of neural circuits.
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