R01:Biomimetic Surface for Neural Implant PI: Tracy Cui Implantable microelectrode arrays for neural recording and stimulation have demonstrated tremendous research and clinical potential. Studies of brain tissue response to neural electrode arrays have revealed localized microglia activation, followed by astrocytic scarring and neural degeneration. These reactions are thought to contribute to the low yield and chronic failure of neural recording, although direct links have not been soundly established. Past studies characterizing the CNS response to implants have used postmortem histology at discrete time points. This approach suffers from a large degree of variability and fails to capture the dynamic molecular, cellular and vascular changes of the host. To address this issue, we have developed an experimental set-up to directly image the electrode-tissue interface in live animals using 2-photon microscopy in conjunction with electrical recording. Our previous work indicates that by coating the surface of neural probes with neural adhesion molecules, neuronal density around the device can be promoted while glial reaction attenuated. Meanwhile, neural recording quality is drastically improved. We hypothesize that promoting neuronal growth and health, and/or inhibiting microglia activation will lead to recording improvement. The specific objectives of thi project are to investigate the biological mechanisms of the coating's effect on recording and to evaluate the clinical potential of biomimetic coating in a brain machine interface (BMI) model. First, the acute neuronal and microglia responses to coated probes will be characterized in transgenic animals using two photon imaging and electrical recording for two weeks. Real time tissue characteristics (such as neuronal and neurite density, microglia density and morphology, vasculature change and BBB leakage) will be correlated to recording metrics(such as unit yield, SNR, amplitude of signal and noise as well as impedance). Several biomolecules that promote or inhibit neuronal growth or microglia activation will be immobilized on the Blackrock arrays to test our hypothesis. Secondly, the long-term benefit of the coatings on recording will be determine by testing the optimum coating conditions in rats for 6 months. Explants will be taken monthly to examine the coating longevity, while immunohistochemistry and microarray analysis of the tissue at the interface will be performed to characterize the cellular and molecular change over time. Thirdly, to assess the potential of biomimetic coating for clinical application, coated electrodes will be tested in rhesus monkeys in a brain-machine-interface (BMI) model. Recording metrics such as SNR, signal amplitude, unit yield and stability will be quantified over 2 years and compared to uncoated arrays. A novel functional metric will be developed to assess functionality of the recorded signals. BMI performance will be evaluated based on speed and accuracy. This proposal combines the cutting edge real-time imaging, effective biomaterial strategies and state of the art brain machine interface technology to understand the interactions between neural implants and host tissue. The findings will guide the development of seamless neural interface devices for BMI, visual and auditory prosthesis, deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease, depression and epilepsy, to name a few. The knowledge will also benefit other brain implants from biochemical sensing and therapeutic delivery to scaffold and stem cell transplant for treating neurological disorders.

Public Health Relevance

Microdevices can be placed in the brain to restore function and treat neurological disease. The goal of this project is to investigate the novel approaches that can be taken to make the implanted device seamlessly integrate with the brain tissue and thereby obtain improved performance longevity and reliability.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01NS062019-05A1
Application #
8761947
Study Section
(BNVT)
Program Officer
Ludwig, Kip A
Project Start
2008-04-01
Project End
2019-06-30
Budget Start
2014-07-01
Budget End
2015-06-30
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pittsburgh
Department
Biomedical Engineering
Type
Biomed Engr/Col Engr/Engr Sta
DUNS #
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213
Michelson, Nicholas J; Vazquez, Alberto L; Eles, James R et al. (2018) Multi-scale, multi-modal analysis uncovers complex relationship at the brain tissue-implant neural interface: new emphasis on the biological interface. J Neural Eng 15:033001
Catt, Kasey; Li, Huaxiu; Hoang, Victor et al. (2018) Self-powered therapeutic release from conducting polymer/graphene oxide films on magnesium. Nanomedicine 14:2495-2503
Cody, Patrick A; Eles, James R; Lagenaur, Carl F et al. (2018) Unique electrophysiological and impedance signatures between encapsulation types: An analysis of biological Utah array failure and benefit of a biomimetic coating in a rat model. Biomaterials 161:117-128
Golabchi, Asiyeh; Wu, Bingchen; Li, Xia et al. (2018) Melatonin improves quality and longevity of chronic neural recording. Biomaterials 180:225-239
Woeppel, K M; Zheng, X S; Cui, X T (2018) Enhancing surface immobilization of bioactive molecules via a silica nanoparticle based coating. J Mater Chem B 6:3058-3067
Du, Zhanhong Jeff; Bi, Guo-Qiang; Cui, Xinyan Tracy (2018) Electrically Controlled Neurochemical Release from Dual-Layer Conducting Polymer Films for Precise Modulation of Neural Network Activity in Rat Barrel Cortex. Adv Funct Mater 28:
Eles, James R; Vazquez, Alberto L; Kozai, Takashi D Y et al. (2018) In vivo imaging of neuronal calcium during electrode implantation: Spatial and temporal mapping of damage and recovery. Biomaterials 174:79-94
Wellman, Steven M; Kozai, Takashi D Y (2018) In vivo spatiotemporal dynamics of NG2 glia activity caused by neural electrode implantation. Biomaterials 164:121-133
Vazquez, Alberto L; Fukuda, Mitsuhiro; Kim, Seong-Gi (2018) Inhibitory Neuron Activity Contributions to Hemodynamic Responses and Metabolic Load Examined Using an Inhibitory Optogenetic Mouse Model. Cereb Cortex 28:4105-4119
Shen, Yang; Cao, Bin; Snyder, Noah R et al. (2018) ROS responsive resveratrol delivery from LDLR peptide conjugated PLA-coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles across the blood-brain barrier. J Nanobiotechnology 16:13

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