NCS-FO: Conformable, expandable neural interface devices to assay natural cognitive maturation of the developing brain

研究大脑回路的发展可以促进对大脑如何能够执行复杂认知功能的理解。一个关键的缺失策略是当生物体过渡到需要认知过程的行为的成功表现时监测大脑活动的能力。该项目涉及使用生物电子设备，可以与不同的大脑结构，因为他们自然生长，以监测未成年的啮齿动物，因为他们在自然环境中执行的行为接口。这些器械将由柔软的有机材料制成，可与生物组织建立有效的界面，且损伤最小。该项目的总体目标是识别新兴认知的神经生理学特征，通过对获得的纵向数据进行计算分析来跟踪发展轨迹。该研究的成果将提高生物医学设备的效率，并为支持认知的大脑回路形成的基本原理提供关键见解。这项工作有希望指导公共卫生倡议，使儿童发展的适当监测。从教育的角度来看，该项目旨在扩大跨学科举措的培训，特别是注重在工程和神经科学学员之间建立伙伴关系，并强调将设备从开发过渡到功能利用所需的迭代反馈过程。该项目旨在解决重点领域（i）神经工程和大脑启发的概念和设计，以及（ii）现实中的认知和神经过程，NSF Integrative Strategies for Understanding Neural and Cognitive Systems（理解神经和认知系统的综合策略）总体目标是使用一个集成的植入式神经设备，使纵向采集神经生理数据，以调查neuralcorrelates的认知过程，动物成为能够执行先进的自然行为。核心假设是，有机电子器件与柔软的可扩展基底相结合，可以在不限制自发行为的情况下监测发育中大脑的局部场电位和动作电位。这些数据将确定神经计算支持个体生物认知能力的预测因子。这种高风险/高回报研究的基本原理是，需要融合工程和神经科学专业知识的新型监测方法，以深入了解认知过程如何在复杂环境中出现。这项工作产生的材料、方法和数据有可能提供显著的医疗和社会效益，例如：（i）用于从人体采集神经生理活动的柔软、舒适的界面;（ii）安全扩展神经电子设备以用于儿科年龄组的方法;以及（iii）用于预防医学和生活方式管理的可穿戴生物电子设备。从涉及自然行为和社会情境的动物中产生新的数据集将有利于神经科学的发展，并导致进一步的科学发现。教育方面特别强调提高参与STEM研究的学员的多样性，并为这些学员提供形成，参与和管理需要强有力的跨学科合作并涉及不同培训背景的个人的项目所需的技能。总结性评估将实施forthese努力，以评估在整合有关生物电子学与神经科学分析的核心原则的培训的整体成功，为工程和神经科学领域之间的协同作用创造新的机会的目标。这个奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并已被认为是值得通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估的支持。

Investigating brain circuit development can facilitate understanding of how the brain becomes capable of performing complex cognitive functions. A key missing strategy is the ability to monitor brain activity as an organism transitions to successful performance of behaviors requiring cognitive processes. This project involves using bioelectronic devices that can interface with different brain structures as they naturally growto monitor immature rodents as they perform behaviors in naturalistic environments. These devices will be made out of soft, organic materials that can establish an effective interface with biological tissue with minimal damage. The overall goal of this project is to identify neurophysiologic signatures of emerging cognition, using computational analysis on acquired longitudinal data to track developmental trajectories.The outcomes of this research will improve the efficiency of biomedical devices and provide key insights into principles underlying formation of brain circuits that can support cognition. This work holds promise for guiding public health initiatives that could enable appropriate monitoring of childhood development. From an educational perspective, this project aims to expand training in interdisciplinary initiatives, specificallyfocusing on creating partnerships between engineering and neuroscience trainees and highlighting the iterative feedback process required to transition a device from development to functional utilization.This project aims to addresses focus areas (i) neuroengineering and brain-inspired concepts and designs, and (ii) cognitive and neural processes in realistic, complex environments of NSF Integrative Strategies for Understanding Neural and Cognitive Systems. The overall objective is to use an integrated implantable neural device that enables longitudinal acquisition of neurophysiological data to investigate neuralcorrelates of cognitive processes as animals become capable of performing advanced naturalistic behaviors. The central hypothesis is that organic electronics in combination with soft, expandable substrates can enable monitoring of local field potentials and action potentials from the developing brain without restricting spontaneous behavior. This data will identify predictors of capacity for neural computationsupporting cognition in individual organisms. The rationale for this high-risk/high-payoff research is that novel monitoring approaches that merge engineering and neuroscience expertise are required to derive insight into how cognitive processes emerge in complex environments. The materials, approaches, and data generated by this work have the potential to provide notable medical and social benefits, such as: (i)soft, conformable interfaces for acquisition of neurophysiological activity from the human body; ii) approaches to safely expand neuroelectronic devices to use in pediatric age groups; and iii) accessible wearable bioelectronics for preventive medicine and lifestyle management. Generation of novel datasets from animals involved in naturalistic behavioral and social situations will benefit the neurosciencecommunity and lead to further scientific discoveries. The educational aspects particularly emphasize improving diversity of trainees engaged in STEM research, and providing these trainees with the skills required to form, participate in, and manage projects that require strong interdisciplinary collaboration and involve individuals from disparate training backgrounds. Summative evaluation will be implemented forthese efforts to evaluate overall success in integrating training about core principles of bioelectronics with neuroscientific analysis, with the goal of creating new opportunities for synergy between engineering and neuroscience fields.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.