Cornuéjols Rémy, Ivanov Anton, Ghestem Antoine, Albon Amélie, Ytier Charline, Nordlund Mathilde, Mercier Jules, Bernard Christophe, Rezaei-Mazinani Shahab
INSERM, INS, Inst Neurosci Syst, Aix Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France.
Centre CMP, Departement BEL, Mines Saint-Etienne, F-13541 Gardanne, France.
ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2025 Jul 23;17(29):42148-42161. doi: 10.1021/acsami.5c02872. Epub 2025 Jul 9.
Flexible neural probes with conductive polymer electrodes present promising alternatives to rigid devices for chronic brain stimulation and recording. Organic devices, characterized by higher charge injection capabilities and better compatibility with biological tissues compared to inorganic probes, hold significant potential in this field. However, demonstrating stability and consistent physiological responses during prolonged pulsing is crucial for their practical application. Moreover, their implantation into brain tissue remains a challenge. Due to their small size and flexibility, organic devices are difficult to insert into brain tissue. This limits their widespread use for recording and deep stimulation of the brain. In this study, we fabricated plastic depth probes with PEDOT:PSS electrodes and developed a reliable protocol for their implantation into brain tissue using a stiff, removable shuttle. We implanted two identical probes into the hippocampus of an adult rat, targeting the CA1 layer with recording electrodes and Schaffer collaterals with stimulating electrodes. We demonstrated that these fabricated devices are excellent tools for recording not only the activity of the neuronal network but also individual neurons. Using microampere range electrical current pulses, we stimulated Schaffer collaterals in freely moving rats and recorded the electrophysiological responses of CA1 pyramidal cells over a 12 day period. Histological analysis of the implanted brain revealed that the lesions caused by our probes were significantly smaller than those left by metal electrodes. Thus, we demonstrated that flexible organic devices are highly effective tools for deep brain recording and stimulation.
带有导电聚合物电极的柔性神经探针为慢性脑刺激和记录的刚性设备提供了有前景的替代方案。与无机探针相比,有机设备具有更高的电荷注入能力以及与生物组织更好的兼容性,在该领域具有巨大潜力。然而,在长时间脉冲过程中证明其稳定性和一致的生理反应对于其实际应用至关重要。此外,将它们植入脑组织仍然是一项挑战。由于其尺寸小且具有柔性,有机设备难以插入脑组织。这限制了它们在脑记录和深度刺激方面的广泛应用。在本研究中,我们制造了带有聚(3,4-乙撑二氧噻吩):聚苯乙烯磺酸(PEDOT:PSS)电极的塑料深度探针,并开发了一种可靠的方案,使用刚性、可移除的穿梭装置将其植入脑组织。我们将两个相同的探针植入成年大鼠的海马体,记录电极靶向CA1层,刺激电极靶向沙费尔侧支。我们证明这些制造的设备不仅是记录神经元网络活动的优秀工具,也是记录单个神经元活动的优秀工具。使用微安级电流脉冲,我们在自由活动的大鼠中刺激沙费尔侧支,并在12天内记录CA1锥体细胞的电生理反应。对植入脑的组织学分析表明,我们的探针造成的损伤明显小于金属电极留下的损伤。因此,我们证明了柔性有机设备是用于深部脑记录和刺激的高效工具。