Objective Electrical stimulation of neurons is a recognised therapeutic approach for the treatment of neurodegenerative pathologies (Parkinson disease etc). These techniques could have a high impact on treatments of other pathologies like epilepsy or blindness. Available commercial devices based on metalised electrodes degrade in physiological environments and induce reactive gliosis, incompatible with fabrication of implants, where a long term stability is mandatory and a closer neuro-electronic interface is required to lower the neuronal activation threshold.The high resolution required for vision and the stimulation of graded potential neurons need complex and very precise stimulators. DREAMS propose to study and fabricate novel types of nanotransducers, based on artificial nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) that exhibits extreme biocompatibility and stability in physiological media. NCD coated and functionalised metallic electrodes or non- metalised CMOS devices will be fabricated, leading to novel active neural c ell-hybrid structures and biocompatible implants to restore a useful vision. Survival of neurons and retinal cells will be evaluated and in-vitro stability and the ability to activate neurones will be tested. DREAMS will lead to the fabrication of matrixes of Field Effect Transistors that can be validated for stimulation of the retina as well as for readout of the retinal signals in-vivo. Fields of science medical and health sciencesbasic medicineneurologyepilepsymedical and health sciencesclinical medicineophthalmologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepathologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicineneurologyparkinsonmedical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologyimplants Programme(s) FP6-NMP - Nanotechnologies and nanosciences, knowledge-based multifunctional materials and new production processes and devices: thematic priority 3 under the 'Focusing and integrating community research' of the 'Integrating and strengthening the European Research Area' specific programme 2002-2006. Topic(s) NMP-2004-3.4.1.1-1 - Towards "converging" technologies NMP-2004-3.4.2.1-1 - Interfacial phenomena in materials Call for proposal FP6-2004-NMP-TI-4 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme STREP - Specific Targeted Research Project Coordinator COMMISSARIAT À L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE EU contribution No data Address Bâtiment Le Ponant D, 25 rue Leblanc PARIS France See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Participants (4) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address Gower Street LONDON See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM JUELICH GMBH Germany EU contribution No data Address Leo-Brandt-Strasse JUELICH See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET MUENCHEN Germany EU contribution No data Address Arcistrasse 21 MUENCHEN See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA SANTÉ ET DE LA RECHERCHE MÉDICALE France EU contribution No data Address 101 rue Tolbiac PARIS See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
