Neuromodulation: present and emerging methods.

Neuromodulation has wide ranging potential applications in replacing impaired neural function (prosthetics), as a novel form of medical treatment (therapy), and as a tool for investigating neurons and neural function (research). Voltage and current controlled electrical neural stimulation (ENS) are methods that have already been widely applied in both neuroscience and clinical practice for neuroprosthetics. However, there are numerous alternative methods of stimulating or inhibiting neurons. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art in ENS as well as alternative neuromodulation techniques-presenting the operational concepts, technical implementation and limitations-in order to inform system design choices

Down-Conditioning of Soleus Reflex Activity using Mechanical Stimuli and EMG Biofeedback

Spasticity is a common syndrome caused by various brain and neural injuries, which can severely impair walking ability and functional independence. To improve functional independence, conditioning protocols are available aimed at reducing spasticity by facilitating spinal neuroplasticity. This down-conditioning can be performed using different types of stimuli, electrical or mechanical, and reflex activity measures, EMG or impedance, used as biofeedback variable. Still, current results on effectiveness of these conditioning protocols are incomplete, making comparisons difficult. We aimed to show the within-session task- dependent and across-session long-term adaptation of a conditioning protocol based on mechanical stimuli and EMG biofeedback. However, in contrast to literature, preliminary results show that subjects were unable to successfully obtain task-dependent modulation of their soleus short-latency stretch reflex magnitude

Translational considerations for the design of untethered nanomaterials in human neural stimulation

Neural stimulation is a powerful tool to study brain physiology and an effective treatment for many neurological disorders. Conventional interfaces use electrodes implanted in the brain. As these are often invasive and have limited spatial targeting, they carry a potential risk of side-effects. Smaller neural devices may overcome these obstacles, and as such, the field of nanoscale and remotely powered neural stimulation devices is growing. This review will report on current untethered, injectable nanomaterial technologies intended for neural stimulation, with a focus on material-tissue interface engineering. We will review nanomaterials capable of wireless neural stimulation, and discuss their stimulation mechanisms. Taking cues from more established nanomaterial fields (e.g., cancer theranostics, drug delivery), we will then discuss methods to modify material interfaces with passive and bioactive coatings. We will discuss methods of delivery to a desired brain region, particularly in the context of how delivery and localization are affected by surface modification. We will also consider each of these aspects of nanoscale neurostimulators with a focus on their prospects for translation to clinical use

Application of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems as Neural Interface

Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology comprises of developing miniaturized mechanical and electro-mechanical elements such that the physical dimensions of these devices vary from micron to few millimeters in size.In various human disease disorders, the neural or body regulatory tissues are incapable of conveying commands directly to the target organ and unable to receive appropriate information from receptor mechanism to decide the future course of action. The MEMS based devices are playing important assistive role by becoming crucial interface in treating such disorders. These devices are increasingly being deployed inside the body at sub tissue levels to fulfill information receipt or command transmission gap, thereby enabling the governing tissue opportunity and environment to work effectively, leading to improvement in the neural signal recording and quality of life of the concerned individual. The aim of this paper is to review the present and future of MEMS based devices widely being employed as neural interface in penetrating probes, nerve regeneration, neuron culture and drug delivery devices depending on type of treatment provided to specific neural disorders. Further, they have been recently employed in developing advanced neuro-computer, nerve stimulators, wheel chair control based on head and hand movements and in medical robotics. Due to their stability, biocompatibility, usage and wider acceptability these MEMS based neural interface devices are providing future hope for their deployment in conquering various neurological disorders

Insinuating electronics in the brain

AbstractThere is an expanding interface between electronic engineering and neurosurgery. Rapid advances in microelectronics and materials science, driven largely by consumer demand, are inspiring and accelerating development of a new generation of diagnostic, therapeutic, and prosthetic devices for implantation in the nervous system. This paper reviews some of the basic science underpinning their development and outlines some opportunities and challenges for their use in neurosurgery

Timing control for paired plasticity

Systems, methods and devices for paired training include timing controls so that training and neural stimulation can be provided simultaneously. Paired trainings may include therapies, rehabilitation and performance enhancement training. Stimulations of nerves such as the vagus nerve that affect subcortical regions such as the nucleus basalis, locus coeruleus or amygdala induce plasticity in the brain, enhancing the effects of a variety of therapies, such as those used to treat tinnitus, stroke, traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.Board of Regents, University of Texas Syste

Correction of attention in a learning ability task with using non-invasive neurostimulation of peripheral nervous system

The paper contains the results of pilot research on neuro-electrostimulation influence with a help of special field of the current pulses on characteristics of attention, which are some of the main parameters of the learning process. The method of dynamic correction of the activity of the sympathetic nervous system implemented by means of the «SYMPATHOCOR-01» device for improving educational and cognitive parameters is proposed. It is shown that the attention parameters such as speed and productivity can be improved by using neuro-electrostimulation. Also, it was shown that some of the autonomic nervous system characteristics, in particular LF and VLF spectral components of heart rate variability, can be chosen as indicators of human efficiency changes. Copyright © 2017 by SCITEPRESS – Science and Technology Publications, Lda. All rights reserved

On the possibilities of neuro-electrostimulation for increasing learning parameters

The paper describes the results of using the neuro-electrostimulation device for improving the attention and working memory characteristics, which are one of the main parameters of cognition in the learning process. It was shown that the quality of the test for assessment of working memory and attention in the experimental group with the use of neuro-electrostimulation was higher than in the control group. Also it was found that the application of neuro-electrostimulation could be used as a corrective technique for subjects with low initial values of test parameters, which allows increasing the test results for assessing working memory and attention. Copyright © 2018 by SCITEPRESS – Science and Technology Publications, Lda. All rights reserved.The work was supported by Act 211 Government of the Russian Federation, contract № 02.A03.21.0006