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Abstract Human induced pluripotent stem cell derived brain organoids have shown great potential for studies of human brain development and neurological disorders. However, quantifying the evolution of the electrical properties of brain organoids during development is currently limited by the measurement techniques, which cannot provide long‐term stable 3D bioelectrical interfaces with developing brain organoids. Here, a cyborg brain organoid platform is reported, in which “tissue‐like” stretchable mesh nanoelectronics are designed to match the mechanical properties of brain organoids and to be folded by the organogenetic process of progenitor or stem cells, distributing stretchable electrode arrays across the 3D organoids. The tissue‐wide integrated stretchable electrode arrays show no interruption to brain organoid development, adapt to the volume and morphological changes during brain organoid organogenesis, and provide long‐term stable electrical contacts with neurons within brain organoids during development. The seamless and noninvasive coupling of electrodes to neurons enables long‐term stable, continuous recording and captures the emergence of single‐cell action potentials from early‐stage brain organoid development.
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“Mind-Reading” Machines
How do we know how the brain works? Doctors cannot open the skull like a jar of candy and close the lid afterward… or can they? In fact, putting electrical wires into human brains has been safely performed for many years. These devices, termed brain-machine interfaces, can help doctors and scientists record electrical signals from the brain, to tell them how the brain interacts with the world. Researchers are using this technique to improve the quality of paralyzed patients’ lives and to build brain-controlled game prototypes. Though powerful, brain-machine interfaces still face many challenges. Does this sound like a field that you might want to pursue? Keep reading to find out more!
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- Award ID(s):
- 2145412
- PAR ID:
- 10416809
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Frontiers for Young Minds
- Volume:
- 10
- ISSN:
- 2296-6846
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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Abstract Nanomaterial advancements have driven progress in central and peripheral nervous system applications such as tissue regeneration and brain–machine interfacing. Ideally, neural interfaces with native tissue shall seamlessly integrate, a process that is often mediated by the interfacial material properties. Surface topography and material chemistry are significant extracellular stimuli that can influence neural cell behavior to facilitate tissue integration and augment therapeutic outcomes. This review characterizes topographical modifications, including micropillars, microchannels, surface roughness, and porosity, implemented on regenerative scaffolding and brain–machine interfaces. Their impact on neural cell response is summarized through neurogenic outcome and mechanistic analysis. The effects of surface chemistry on neural cell signaling with common interfacing compounds like carbon‐based nanomaterials, conductive polymers, and biologically inspired matrices are also reviewed. Finally, the impact of these extracellular mediated neural cues on intracellular signaling cascades is discussed to provide perspective on the manipulation of neuron and neuroglia cell microenvironments to drive therapeutic outcomes.more » « less
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Advances in our understanding of brain function, along with the development of neural interfaces that allow for the monitoring and activation of neurons, have paved the way for brain-machine interfaces (BMIs), which harness neural signals to reanimate the limbs via electrical activation of the muscles or to control extracorporeal devices, thereby bypassing the muscles and senses altogether. BMIs consist of reading out motor intent from the neuronal responses monitored in motor regions of the brain and executing intended movements with bionic limbs, reanimated limbs, or exoskeletons. BMIs also allow for the restoration of the sense of touch by electrically activating neurons in somatosensory regions of the brain, thereby evoking vivid tactile sensations and conveying feedback about object interactions. In this review, we discuss the neural mechanisms of motor control and somatosensation in able-bodied individuals and describe approaches to use neuronal responses as control signals for movement restoration and to activate residual sensory pathways to restore touch. Although the focus of the review is on intracortical approaches, we also describe alternative signal sources for control and noninvasive strategies for sensory restoration.more » « less
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Abstract Objective. Brain–machine interfaces (BMIs) have shown promise in extracting upper extremity movement intention from the thoughts of nonhuman primates and people with tetraplegia. Attempts to restore a user’s own hand and arm function have employed functional electrical stimulation (FES), but most work has restored discrete grasps. Little is known about how well FES can control continuous finger movements. Here, we use a low-power brain-controlled functional electrical stimulation (BCFES) system to restore continuous volitional control of finger positions to a monkey with a temporarily paralyzed hand. Approach. We delivered a nerve block to the median, radial, and ulnar nerves just proximal to the elbow to simulate finger paralysis, then used a closed-loop BMI to predict finger movements the monkey was attempting to make in two tasks. The BCFES task was one-dimensional in which all fingers moved together, and we used the BMI’s predictions to control FES of the monkey’s finger muscles. The virtual two-finger task was two-dimensional in which the index finger moved simultaneously and independently from the middle, ring, and small fingers, and we used the BMI’s predictions to control movements of virtual fingers, with no FES. Main results. In the BCFES task, the monkey improved his success rate to 83% (1.5 s median acquisition time) when using the BCFES system during temporary paralysis from 8.8% (9.5 s median acquisition time, equal to the trial timeout) when attempting to use his temporarily paralyzed hand. In one monkey performing the virtual two-finger task with no FES, we found BMI performance (task success rate and completion time) could be completely recovered following temporary paralysis by executing recalibrated feedback-intention training one time. Significance. These results suggest that BCFES can restore continuous finger function during temporary paralysis using existing low-power technologies and brain-control may not be the limiting factor in a BCFES neuroprosthesis.more » « less
- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.3389/frym.2022.771696
