No question about it — brain functions are complicated. In order to understand how millions of brain cells control functions such as simple reflexes or learning and memory, we must be able to record the activity of large networks and groups of neurons. Thanks to a team of scientists at the University of Calgary, a new technology for this purpose is in development. Known as a bionic hybrid neuro chip, it’s able to record activity in animal brain cells for weeks at a high resolution.
Image source: Factwide.
Being 15 times more sensitive than conventional neuro chips, the brain cell signals are amplified more easily. According to scientific director of the University of Calgary, Naweed Syed, PhD, this also allows researchers to see real-time recordings of brain cell activity at a resolution that’s never been achieved.
The development of this technology allows researchers to investigate, in animal models, the origins of neurological diseases and conditions such as epilepsy, as well as other cognitive functions such as learning and memory.
“Recording this activity over a long period of time allows you to see changes that occur over time, in the activity itself,” said PhD student in the biomedical engineering graduate program and the study's first author, Pierre Wijdenes. “This helps to understand why certain neurons form connections with each other and why others won't.”
The team created the chip to mimic the natural biological contact between brain cells, essentially tricking the brain cells into believing that they were connecting with other brain cells. As a result, the cells connected with the chip, allowing researchers to view and record the two-way communication that would go on between two normal functioning brain cells.
“We simulated what mother-nature does in nature and provided brain cells with an environment where they feel as if they are at home,” said Syed. “This has allowed us to increase the sensitivity of our readings and help neurons build a long-term relationship with our electronic chip.”
Although the chip is used to analyze animal brain cells, the increased resolution and the ability to make long-term recordings is bringing the technology one step closer to being effective in the recording of human brain cell activity. Researchers hope the technology will one day be used as a tool to bring personalized therapeutic options to patients facing neurological disease.
The technological advancement was originally published in the journal Scientific Reports .
Source: University of Calgary.
Advertisement
Learn more about Electronic Products Magazine
