Conformable, Expandable Neural Interface Device for the developing brain

项目总结/摘要 识别负责认知功能出现的神经网络机制的主要障碍是 在大脑成熟过程中获取大规模电生理信号的能力不足。 迫切需要开发技术和实验方案，以获得大规模的慢性神经细胞， 通过微创植入式设备从小的、脆弱的、不成熟的大脑中提取生理信号。我们 长期目标是实现这种大规模神经网络的微创记录和操作 在关键的发育时间框架内发展生物体。我们的总体目标是建立一个神经网络 可以完全植入幼鼠体内并适应组织生长的接口装置， 多个皮层区域的慢性神经生理学记录，而不干扰环境实验， 是正常发展所必需的。我们的中心假设是，整合导电聚合物- 电极、可扩展基底和适形离子电路将允许创建适形、可扩展的 发育中大脑的神经接口（CENID）将帮助我们阐明神经活动的协调 随着大脑的成长和成熟。这一假设是根据初步数据提出的， 有机电子可以有效地获取和处理神经生理信号。亲的理由， 提出的研究是，这些材料和设备组件的集成使我们的设备能够获取数据， 这是以前无法达到的。为了实现我们的目标，我们追求以下两个具体目标： (i)建立可扩展、适形和生物相容的集成组件，以实现高时空分辨率， 发育中的大脑的信号采集和传输;（ii）进行体内慢性植入， CENID能够在自由移动的小鼠幼仔中采集和传输神经生理信号 成熟在我们看来，拟议的研究是创新的，因为它大大偏离了阶段， 金属基电极和硅基电子器件的现状是通过使用合适的，完全生物相容的， 导电聚合物基组件，以创建完全可植入的神经接口设备， 监测自然行为啮齿动物发育过程中的大规模皮层网络。这项工作是前- 预计将是重要的，因为它将提供跨时间监测神经网络的基础 与大脑成熟和复杂大脑功能出现相关的时期。它将具有积极的IM- 对以前无法实现的实验范式的发展，并作出更广泛的贡献， 在安全、长期、微创生物电子设备的设计方面得到证明。

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT A major obstacle to identifying neural network mechanisms responsible for emergence of cognitive function is insufficient capability to acquire large-scale electrophysiologic signals across the course of brain maturation. There is urgent need to develop the technology and experimental protocols to acquire large-scale, chronic neu- rophysiological signals from small, fragile, immature brains via minimally invasive implantable devices. Our long-term goal is to enable such minimally invasive recording and manipulation of large-scale neural networks in developing organisms across critical developmental timeframes. Our overall objective is to establish a neural interface device that can be fully implanted in a mouse pup and can accommodate tissue growth, enabling chronic neurophysiological recording of multiple cortical regions without disrupting the environmental experi- ences required for normal development. Our central hypothesis is that integrating conducting polymer elec- trodes, expandable substrates, and conformable ionic circuits will allow creation of a Conformable, Expandable Neural Interface for the Developing Brain (CENID) that will help us elucidate the coordination of neural activity as the brain grows and matures. This hypothesis was formulated on the basis of preliminary data suggesting that organic electronics can efficiently acquire and process neurophysiologic signals. The rationale for the pro- posed research is that integration of these materials and device components enable our device to acquire data that was previously inaccessible. In order to achieve our objectives, we pursue the following two specific aims: (i) establish expandable, conformable and biocompatible integrated components for high spatiotemporal reso- lution signal acquisition and transmission of the developing brain; (ii) perform in vivo chronic implantation of CENID capable of acquiring and transmitting neurophysiological signals in freely moving mouse pups across maturation. The proposed research is innovative, in our opinion, because it substantially departs from the sta- tus quo of metal-based electrodes and silicon-based electronics by using conformable, fully biocompatible, conducting polymer-based components to create a fully implantable neural interface device compatible with monitoring large-scale cortical networks across development in naturally behaving rodents. This work is ex- pected to be significant because it will provide the groundwork for monitoring of neural networks across time periods associated with brain maturation and emergence of complex brain functions. It will have positive im- pact on development of previous unattainable experimental paradigms and contribute more broadly to im- provement in design of safe, long-term, minimally invasive bioelectronic devices.