Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an FDA approved therapy for essential tremor and Parkinson's disease that provides symptomatic relief over long term. It is also a promising therapy for epilepsy, dyskinesias, obsessive-compulsive and anxiety disorder. However, the efficacy of the DBS therapy is significantly reduced due to difficulties in precisely localizing the stimulation microelectrodes. In addition, lengthy surgical sessions under anesthesia that include electrophysiological observations and radiological methods are often necessary to confirm the microelectrode location. The overall goal of this proposed project is to develop a microactuated microelectrode technology that will enable precise positioning and movement of microelectrodes in behaving animals after implantation for deep brain stimulation. The proposed technology will provide an unprecedented ability to monitor single neuronal electrical activity and behavioral correlates to stimulation in unanesthetized animals while the stimulation electrode is being moved towards the desired target structure. The above capability promises to greatly enhance the precision, efficacy and safety of DBS with implanted microelectrodes. Specifically, we propose to develop a thermal microactuator and associated microelectrode technology for precise positioning and optimal stimulation of the nigro-striatal bundle in behaving rat models of Parkinson's disease. The key technological barriers that must be overcome are (i). Developing microactuator technologies with enough translation capability to interrogate deep brain structures in rodents with sufficient precision in displacement (ii). Development and optimization of an integrated stimulation and recording capability in the nigro-striatal bundle using an array of microactuated microelectrodes. The proposed technology will be tested and validated in rodent models of Parkinson's disease. Successful development of this technology will make microelectrode implantation for deep brain stimulation precise leading to safe and an efficient therapy with shorter surgical times. Future developments of this technology could lead to an efficient delivery vehicle for drug or gene therapy.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
3R21NS051773-01S1
Application #
7197137
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Pancrazio, Joseph J
Project Start
2005-04-01
Project End
2007-03-31
Budget Start
2005-04-01
Budget End
2006-03-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$28,415
Indirect Cost
Name
Arizona State University-Tempe Campus
Department
Engineering (All Types)
Type
Schools of Engineering
DUNS #
943360412
City
Tempe
State
AZ
Country
United States
Zip Code
85287
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Stice, Paula; Gilletti, Aaron; Panitch, Alyssa et al. (2007) Thin microelectrodes reduce GFAP expression in the implant site in rodent somatosensory cortex. J Neural Eng 4:42-53