Ultraflexible nanoelectronic probes form reliable, glial scar–free neural integration

• DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1601966
• Publication Date: 2017-02-16T02:10:39Z
• Authors: Lan Luan; Xiaoling Wei; Zhengtuo Zhao; Jennifer J. Siegel; Ojas Potnis; Catherine A Tuppen; Shengqing Lin; Shams Kazmi; Robert A. Fowler; Stewart Holloway; Andrew K. Dunn; Raymond A. Chitwood; Chong Xie
• Keywords: Male; Mice, Transgenic; 02 engineering and technology; Electrodes, Implanted; Nanostructures; Mice; Microscopy, Fluorescence, Multiphoton; Blood-Brain Barrier; Materials Testing; Animals; 0210 nano-technology; Neuroglia; Research Articles

Implanted brain electrodes construct the only means to electrically interface with individual neurons in vivo, but their recording efficacy and biocompatibility pose limitations on scientific clinical applications. We showed that nanoelectronic thread (NET) subcellular dimensions, ultraflexibility, cellular surgical footprints form reliable, glial scar-free neural integration. demonstrated NET reliably detected tracked units for months; impedance, noise level, single-unit yield, signal amplitude remained stable during long-term implantation. In vivo two-photon imaging postmortem histological analysis revealed seamless, integration of probes local vasculature networks, featuring fully recovered capillaries an intact blood-brain barrier complete absence chronic neuronal degradation scar.