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n a newly published cutting-edge study, Markos’ team showcase how we interact with the brain to understand and treat neurological disorders with focus on epilepsy.
Epilepsy is a complex neurological condition affecting millions worldwide, characterized by recurrent, unpredictable seizures. Detecting the onset and propagation of seizures, and understanding the neural circuitry that underlies them, remains a central challenge in both research and clinical practice.
In this study, researchers introduce a novel flexible microfluidic neural interface, a soft, multimodal device that integrates optical, electrical, and chemical sensing and stimulation capabilities into a single polymer-based neural interface.
Advanced neural interfaces like this open up powerful new avenues to:
- Record electrical signals across brain layers with high precision
- Deliver targeted optical stimulation to modulate neural activity
- Deliver and sample chemicals to probe neurochemical changes
- Achieve multimodal interrogation of brain mechanisms that contribute to seizure initiation and spread
These capabilities can dramatically improve our understanding of epileptic circuits, potentially leading to better diagnostics, more effective closed-loop therapies, and personalized intervention strategies.
