Wireless nanochips that, after injection into the bloodstream, automatically travel to the brain and implant themselves in the diseased area. That scientists from the American Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) presented on Wednesday in the scientific journal Nature Biotechnology. Once they have arrived in the brain, the chips can specifically electrically stimulate the targeted brain area – so far only in mice.
Electric brain implants are now sometimes offered to people with serious neurological conditions that are no longer helped by any medication, such as Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, chronic pain or psychiatric conditions. That requires risky brain surgery.
The researchers hope to use the new technology, which they call ‘circulatronics’, to remedy serious brain disorders in the future without major surgery.
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The new chips consist of layers of organic semiconductors and metals of approximately 200 nanometers high, on a circular surface of less than 10 micrometers. Thanks to this microscopic size, smaller than a cell, the implants can nestle permanently between individual brain cells without causing damage to surrounding cells, and perform their work with millions of targeted stimulation points.
The scientists linked the tiny electronic devices to living cells. As a result, they do not provoke an immune response from the immune system. In addition, this allowed the nano devices to easily cross the blood-brain barrier. This protective layer around the blood vessels prevents harmful substances and bacteria from reaching the brain, but it does allow nutrients and oxygen to pass through. It is often a difficult hurdle for drug manufacturers.
In tests with mice with inflammation in their brains, it appeared that the implants injected into the bloodstream could independently find the inflamed area in the brain. The scientists focused the treatment in this trial on brain inflammation. This process plays a major role in many neurological disorders.
In the study, the researchers used immune cells (monocytes) to deliver the device. These cells are 12 to 18 micrometers in size and naturally target inflammation in the body. They were able to follow the swarm of nano-devices using a fluorescent substance.
Tackling inflammation
Once the implants were in place, the researchers were able to activate them wirelessly with the electromagnetic waves of near-infrared light. The implants deep in the mouse brain receive sufficient energy to electrically stimulate surrounding brain cells. In humans, this stimulation occurs up to a few centimeters below the skull.
The authors expect that these types of treatments could be used to tackle inflammation and other neurological problems in the future. With other cell types, the chips could be targeted at other diseases.
The research team is now working on applications for several conditions, including certain forms of brain cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and chronic pain. For example, in a type of brain cancer, glioblastoma, there are often small tumors in different places. The hope is that these diseases can be tackled with these nano-implants. Through their start-up Cahira Technologies The researchers aim to test the technology in humans in clinical trials within three years.
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