Alterations in neurological function due to various causes (e.g. stroke, trauma, neurodegeneration, epilepsy, neuropsychiatric diseases, chronic pain, and sensory deficits, among others) commonly exhibit alterations in brain rhythms and activity patterns. As a common strategy for the restoration of physiological activity in these various pathologies, there is an urgent clinical need for the precise control of neural activity, which can benefit from state-of-the-art technological developments in a variety of fields: nanotechnology, nano- and microelectronics, new materials, brain science, clinical experience, and computation. META-BRAIN (MagnetoElectric and Ultrasonic Technology for Advanced BRAIN modulation) brings together seven expert partners (six institutions) in these fields with the aim of achieving precise spatiotemporal control of brain activity.
Our overall objectives are to achieve a precise spatiotemporal control of brain activity using remote magnets and/or ultrasound. We aim at minimal invasiveness, high spatial resolution, remote and wireless control of brain activity, while obtaining detailed mechanistic and scientific understanding of the principles, both experimental and theoretical. Our final objective is to provide novel useful principles and tools with valuable clinical applications.
In this project we will use two innovative strategies. Our main strategy uses magnetoelectric (ME) nanoarchitectures, that can be activated by low amplitude, non-invasive, remote magnetic fields, which generate electric fields capable of stimulating brain tissue. This novel principle of brain activity control would minimize the amplitude of the required magnetic fields, be wireless, and have enhanced spatial resolution, from single neurons to cortical areas. As an alternative stimulation/recording strategy we will also develop minimally invasive technology based on ultrasound (US) stimulation. To this end, we will implement a novel neural interface composed of Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducer (CMUT) for spatially precise neuromodulation. We will perform our developmental work and experiments hand-in-hand with theoretical models that will simulate, quantify, and predict the optimal arrangements for stimulation and closed-loop systems. We also evaluate in detail the potential for clinical translation to humans with our clinical partners and we will make a detailed plan for it.
