Low-threshold, high-resolution, chronically stable intracortical microstimulation by ultraflexible electrodes

Roy Lycke; Robin Kim; Pavlo Zolotavin; Jon Montes; Yingchu Sun; Aron Koszeghy; Esra Altun; Brian Noble; Rongkang Yin; Fei He; Nelson Totah; Chong Xie; Lan Luan

Cell Reports (Jun 2023)

Low-threshold, high-resolution, chronically stable intracortical microstimulation by ultraflexible electrodes

Roy Lycke,
Robin Kim,
Pavlo Zolotavin,
Jon Montes,
Yingchu Sun,
Aron Koszeghy,
Esra Altun,
Brian Noble,
Rongkang Yin,
Fei He,
Nelson Totah,
Chong Xie,
Lan Luan

Affiliations

Roy Lycke: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA; Rice Neuroengineering Initiative, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
Robin Kim: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA; Rice Neuroengineering Initiative, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
Pavlo Zolotavin: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA; Rice Neuroengineering Initiative, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
Jon Montes: Rice Neuroengineering Initiative, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA; Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
Yingchu Sun: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA; Rice Neuroengineering Initiative, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
Aron Koszeghy: Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
Esra Altun: Rice Neuroengineering Initiative, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA; Material Science and NanoEngineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
Brian Noble: Rice Neuroengineering Initiative, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA; Applied Physics Program, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
Rongkang Yin: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA; Rice Neuroengineering Initiative, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
Fei He: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA; Rice Neuroengineering Initiative, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
Nelson Totah: Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
Chong Xie: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA; Rice Neuroengineering Initiative, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA; Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA; Corresponding author
Lan Luan: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA; Rice Neuroengineering Initiative, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA; Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA; Corresponding author

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 42, no. 6
p. 112554

Abstract

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Summary: Intracortical microstimulation (ICMS) enables applications ranging from neuroprosthetics to causal circuit manipulations. However, the resolution, efficacy, and chronic stability of neuromodulation are often compromised by adverse tissue responses to the indwelling electrodes. Here we engineer ultraflexible stim-nanoelectronic threads (StimNETs) and demonstrate low activation threshold, high resolution, and chronically stable ICMS in awake, behaving mouse models. In vivo two-photon imaging reveals that StimNETs remain seamlessly integrated with the nervous tissue throughout chronic stimulation periods and elicit stable, focal neuronal activation at low currents of 2 μA. Importantly, StimNETs evoke longitudinally stable behavioral responses for over 8 months at a markedly low charge injection of 0.25 nC/phase. Quantified histological analyses show that chronic ICMS by StimNETs induces no neuronal degeneration or glial scarring. These results suggest that tissue-integrated electrodes provide a path for robust, long-lasting, spatially selective neuromodulation at low currents, which lessens risk of tissue damage or exacerbation of off-target side effects.

CP: Neuroscience

Published in Cell Reports

ISSN: 2211-1247 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Science: Biology (General)
Website: http://www.cell.com/cell-reports/home

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