Utilizing Physics to Optimize Brain Research

Injuries to brain tissue might be reduced by optoelectrode changes and thus improve nerve research according to a new study.

Injuries to brain tissue might be reduced by optoelectrode changes and thus improve nerve research as per a study at the American Institute of Physics, published in the Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology B, by AIP Publishing.

Utilizing electrodes inside the laboratory specimens of brains have bestowed the field of neuroscience to new findings for decades. Although common silicon-based electrodes rely on established production methods, they are stiff and prone to injure the brain.

Brain Diseases can be Detected by Eye Movements
Scientists can infer a lot from analyzing eye movements, and a new artificial intelligence-based tracker should help them learn even more.

‘Injuries to brain tissue might be reduced by optoelectrode changes and thus improve nerve research according to a new study. ’

On the contrary, more flexible polymer-based electrodes avoid these issues but are difficult to scale (especially when integrating light emitters for neuron stimulation). Hence, the study team developed a technique that offers the best of both worlds.

The Optoelectrodes

The team successfully demonstrated the possibility of creating an efficient semiflexible light-emitting electrode by removing the stiff silicon material from underneath the tip of the probe.

Novel Brain Signaling to Curb Overeating
Novel way of brain signaling associated with fullness after eating is found by scientists that may help formulate novel therapies to curb overeating.

This device was called an optoelectrode, that aids in analyzing deep brain tissues with high resolution, record signals from individual nerve cells, and even stimulate small groups of neurons with state-of-the-art techniques (such as optical waveguides).

"It is challenging to implant polymer probes in the brain, but we’ve developed a very simple fabrication technique to address this," says author Vittorino Lanzio.

13 Daily Habits that Damage the Brain
The brain is probably the most important organ in our body and it deserves special care and attention to keep it active and functioning well. Here are thirteen daily habits, you must know that can cause damage to your brain.

At present, optoelectrodes are reserved for short-term use in laboratory animals until better biocompatibility is developed for humans.

The team anticipates that the new device would help integrate more functionality into the electrodes, and further amplify the field progresses.

Source-Medindia