Biodegradable Brain Electrodes Advance Neural Repair

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Source: https://neurosciencenews.com/biodegradable-electrode-neural-repair-28355/

January 13, 2025

Summary:

Researchers have developed a flexible, biodegradable electrode capable of stimulating neural precursor cells (NPCs) in the brain, offering a safer and more precise alternative for neural repair. The electrode dissolves naturally after seven days, eliminating the need for surgical removal while promoting tissue regeneration.

Made from FDA-approved materials, the device successfully increased NPC activity in preclinical models without causing significant inflammation or damage. This innovation could significantly expand treatment options for neurological disorders, which are a leading cause of disability worldwide.

Future developments aim to integrate drug and gene therapy delivery into the electrodes for enhanced therapeutic potential.

Made from FDA-approved materials, the device successfully increased NPC activity in preclinical models without causing significant inflammation or damage. This innovation could significantly expand treatment options for neurological disorders, which are a leading cause of disability worldwide.

Future developments aim to integrate drug and gene therapy delivery into the electrodes for enhanced therapeutic potential.

Key Facts:

Innovative Design: The biodegradable electrode stimulates neural repair without requiring surgical removal.

Targeted Activation: Stimulating neural precursor cells boosts repair of damaged brain tissue.

Future Potential: Researchers plan to integrate drug and gene therapies into the device.


University of Toronto researchers have developed a flexible, biodegradable electrode capable of stimulating neural precursor cells (NPCs) in the brain – a device capable of delivering targeted electrical stimulation for up to seven days before it dissolves naturally.


By harnessing the body’s innate repair mechanisms, the researchers’ approach represents a potential step forward in the treatment of neurological disorders that are a leading cause of disability worldwide.

To design the biodegradable neural probe, the team focused on materials that provided both biocompatibility and tunable degradation rates.

While neurological disorders often result in irreversible cell loss, stimulating NPCs – rare cells capable of repairing neural tissue – has shown promise when it comes to expanding limited treatment options.

However, existing methods such as transcranial direct current stimulation lack precision and can damage tissue. The electrode developed by U of T researchers, on the other hand, provides precise, safe and temporary stimulation without requiring subsequent surgical interventions. 

“Our findings demonstrate that this electrode can stimulate neural repair in a controlled, temporary manner, which is crucial for avoiding complications associated with permanent implants,” says Tianhao Chen, a PhD student in biomedical engineering who is the study’s lead author. 

The research, published in a recent issue of Biomaterials, was led by Hani Naguib, a professor in the departments of materials science and engineering and mechanical and industrial engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, and Cindi Morshead, a professor of surgery in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine who is cross-appointed to the Institute of Biomedical Engineering.

This testing ensured the electrodes’ safety and efficacy for neural repair stimulation within the targeted time frame. 

“Our plan is to further develop this technology by creating multimodal, biodegradable electrodes that can deliver drugs and gene therapies to the injured brain,” says Morshead. 

“We have exciting data to show that activating brain stem cells with our electrical stimulation devices improves functional outcomes in a preclinical model of stroke.”