Department of Neurobiology, Center for Glial Biology in Medicine, Atomic Force Microscopy and Nanotechnology Laboratories, Civitan International Research Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
J Neurochem. 2013 Feb;124(4):436-53. doi: 10.1111/jnc.12105. Epub 2012 Dec 26.
The brain operates through complex interactions in the flow of information and signal processing within neural networks. The 'wiring' of such networks, being neuronal or glial, can physically and/or functionally go rogue in various pathological states. Neuromodulation, as a multidisciplinary venture, attempts to correct such faulty nets. In this review, selected approaches and challenges in neuromodulation are discussed. The use of water-dispersible carbon nanotubes has been proven effective in the modulation of neurite outgrowth in culture and in aiding regeneration after spinal cord injury in vivo. Studying neural circuits using computational biology and analytical engineering approaches brings to light geometrical mapping of dynamics within neural networks, much needed information for stimulation interventions in medical practice. Indeed, sophisticated desynchronization approaches used for brain stimulation have been successful in coaxing 'misfiring' neuronal circuits to resume productive firing patterns in various human disorders. Devices have been developed for the real-time measurement of various neurotransmitters as well as electrical activity in the human brain during electrical deep brain stimulation. Such devices can establish the dynamics of electrochemical changes in the brain during stimulation. With increasing application of nanomaterials in devices for electrical and chemical recording and stimulating in the brain, the era of cellular, and even intracellular, precision neuromodulation will soon be upon us.
大脑通过神经网络中的信息流和信号处理的复杂相互作用来运作。这种网络的“布线”，无论是神经元还是神经胶质，可以在各种病理状态下出现物理和/或功能上的紊乱。神经调节作为一个多学科的尝试，试图纠正这些有缺陷的网络。在这篇综述中，讨论了神经调节中的一些方法和挑战。已证明使用水分散性碳纳米管在培养物中调节神经突生长和体内脊髓损伤后的再生方面是有效的。使用计算生物学和分析工程方法研究神经回路，可以揭示神经网络内动力学的几何映射，这是医学实践中刺激干预所急需的信息。事实上，用于脑刺激的复杂去同步化方法已成功地诱使“故障”神经元回路恢复各种人类疾病中的有效放电模式。已经开发出用于实时测量人类大脑在电深部脑刺激期间各种神经递质和电活动的设备。这种设备可以确定刺激过程中大脑中电化学变化的动力学。随着纳米材料在大脑中电和化学记录和刺激设备中的应用越来越多，细胞甚至细胞内精确神经调节的时代即将到来。
