Investigating Electrical Stimulation to Mitigate The Foreign Body Response in Neural Implants

This research addresses a critical challenge in the field of neural interfaces: the foreign body response (FBR). Neural interfaces hold tremendous promise for treating neurological disorders and enhancing therapeutic outcomes, but the FBR often limits their long-term effectiveness.<br/><br/>The FBR is primarily driven by non-neuronal glial cells and results in chronic inflammation and fibrosis, ultimately compromising neural recording and stimulation capabilities. This study focuses on the potential of electrical stimulation to mitigate the FBR and enhance the performance and longevity of neural implants.<br/><br/>Preliminary findings indicate that electrical stimulation can influence astrocytes, fibroblasts, and other cell types involved in the FBR. The parameters of stimulation, including timing, intensity, and frequency are being investigated and can influence the glial response, ranging from driving cell alignment, affecting cell division and to exerting anti-inflammatory to pro-inflammatory effects.<br/><br/>To this end, we employ two novel in vitro platforms, followed by advanced microscopy techniques and cytokine assays. These insights will be further complemented by RNA sequencing. Our ultimate aim is to extend our findings to an in vivo context, enabling us to refine our understanding and improve strategies for addressing the foreign body response in neural implants.<br/><br/>This research sheds light on these complex interactions, offering potential strategies to enhance the effectiveness of neural interfaces and reduce the impediments caused by the FBR. Ultimately, this work has the potential to significantly impact the field of neural implant technology and improve patient outcomes in the treatment of neurological disorders.