Flexible Tentacle Electrodes Capture Brain Activity

Neurostimulators, also known as brain pacemakers, have revolutionized the treatment of various neurological and psychiatric disorders by sending electrical impulses to specific areas of the brain via special electrodes. Currently, around 200,000 individuals worldwide are benefiting from this technology, particularly those with conditions like Parkinson’s disease or pathological muscle spasms. However, the potential applications of neurostimulators are far-reaching, as highlighted by Mehmet Fatih Yanik, Professor of Neurotechnology at ETH Zurich.

Professor Yanik envisions a future where these electrodes not only stimulate the brain but also record brain activity with precision to analyze anomalies associated with neurological or psychiatric disorders. This innovative approach could pave the way for treating such anomalies and disorders using electrical impulses. To realize this vision, Yanik and his team at ETH Zurich have developed a new type of electrode that allows for detailed and precise recordings of brain activity over an extended period.

The newly developed electrodes consist of bundles of extremely fine and flexible fibers of electrically conductive gold enclosed in a polymer. Unlike existing technologies, these electrodes can be inserted into the brain slowly, minimizing the risk of damage to brain tissue. This distinguishes them from other systems, such as the widely known technology from Neuralink, a company founded by Elon Musk. In comparison to traditional electrodes, including those used by Neuralink, Yanik's electrodes are significantly thinner, reducing the likelihood of harming brain tissue.

Yanik elaborates on this distinction, stating, “The wider the probe, even if it is flexible, the greater the risk of damage to brain tissue. Our electrodes are so fine that they can navigate past the long processes extending from nerve cells in the brain, matching the thickness of nerve-cell processes themselves.” This breakthrough in electrode design opens up new possibilities for safer and more effective brain stimulation and recording techniques.

With ongoing research and development in the field of neurostimulation technology, the potential for improving the lives of individuals with neurological and psychiatric disorders continues to expand. The fine and flexible electrodes developed by Professor Yanik and his team represent a significant advancement in the field, offering a promising avenue for more precise brain activity recordings and targeted treatments. As these innovations progress, the future of neurostimulation holds great promise for enhancing our understanding of the brain and improving therapeutic interventions for a wide range of conditions.