Silicon Microsystems for High-Throughput Analysis of Neural Circuit Activity
- Technology Benefits
- Neuronal activity monitoring capable from multiple brain structures at once to gain novel insights on brain networks rather than just single regionsThe manufactured probes will be cheap enough to be disposableThe effective cost per recording channel is estimated at below $1, in contrast to $20 per recording channel of other competing commercial devicesMore recording electrodes can be packaged onto a single probeThe novel probe is smaller than competing devices, thereby reducing tissue damage
- Technology Application
- Mapping of brain activity in animal models of psychiatric disordersScreening psychiatric drugs by testing their effect on network brain activityImproved performance of brain machine interfacesFundamental studies of the neural mechanism of learning, memory, and behaviorIn vivo monitoring of the effects pharmaceuticals designed to treat neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and depression
- Detailed Technology Description
- UCLA researchers in the Department of Neurobiology have developed a unique electrode array capable of simultaneously mapping neural activity from two or more brain structures. This technology addresses major technical obstacles of recording single neuron activity and expands on the potential of neuronal monitoring by allowing single-cell-resolution measurement of activity from numerous networked brain structures. In addition to enhanced recording performance, these new electrode array-probes will be more cost-effective to manufacture. A manufacturing process has been developed that enables the mass-production of silicon-based neural probes. The probes produced using this novel manufacturing process will be cheap enough to be disposable. The novel probes are smaller, less invasive, and contain more recording electrodes than competing devices.
- Others
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State Of Development
The inventors have tested the technology in mice and are currently working with a commercial MEMS foundry to mass-produce the novel silicon probes.
Background
There is an increasing appreciation for mapping brain activity in the central nervous system, particularly as it pertains to disease and injury. Functional MRI (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) techniques can provide coarse-grained pictures of neuronal activity in the brain. However, they are unable to provide information on rapidly changing activity of single neurons. Single neuron monitoring is essential for studying the role of brain circuitry in behavior and for developing effective treatments for neurological disorders. As a result, our understanding of neuronal brain circuitry and its relationship to disease has been limited by the resolution of current technology.
Tech ID/UC Case
23500/2013-039-0
Related Cases
2013-039-0
- *Abstract
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UCLA researchers in the Department of Neurobiology have developed a novel silicon-based neural probe that can simultaneously map neural activity from multiple brain structures.
- *Principal Investigator
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Name: Sotiris Masmanidis
Department:
- Country/Region
- USA
