Neural implants modulate microstructures in the brain with pinpoint accuracy

The diversity of structures and functions of the brain is becoming increasingly realized in research today. Dysfunction of these structures and circuits linking them are common causes of many neurologic and neuropsychiatric diseases.

New technologies such as optogenetics have allowed us to identify similar microstructures in the brain. However, these techniques rely on liquid infusions into the brain, which prepare the regions to be studied to respond to light. These infusions are done with large needles, which do not have the fine control to target specific regions. Clinical therapy has also lagged behind. New drug therapies aimed at treating these conditions are delivered orally, which results in drug distribution throughout the brain, or through large needle-cannulas, which do not have the fine control to accurately dose specific regions. The team developed tools to enable targeted delivery of nanoliters of drugs to deep brain structures through chronically implanted microprobes.

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http://news.mit.edu/2018/neural-implants-modulate-brain-microstructures-with-pinpoint-accuracy-0628