Systems, methods and devices for treating tinnitus

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

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

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

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

Nanocomposites for Neural Interfaces

ABSTRACTWe have fabricated micro-probes consisting of gold microelectrode sites (500 μm long and 12 μm wide) modified with conductive polymers and carbon nanotubes to achieve intimate contact with the nervous system. The fabrication process includes photolithography, electroplating and micromachining techniques. In order to obtain a high quality neural contact, we have investigated the preparation and characterization of neural interface materials. Electrochemical polymerization using potentiostatic and galvanostatic methods was used to optimize the surface of the metal electrode sites. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to study the surface morphology, electrochemical properties, and stability of electrodeposited polymers. Cytotoxicity tests using fibroblasts and Schwann cells were performed to evaluate the biocompatibility of the micro-probes and neural interface materials. Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) in vitro preparation was used to evaluate neuronal cell cell adhesion to the electrode. Polypyrrole (PPy) and poly(3,4-ethylendioxythiophene) (EDOT) with various thicknesses and dopants were deposited onto microelectrode sites from aqueous solution. Our results demonstrate that we can control the morphology, size and electrical properties of PPy and PEDOT by changing the polymerization conditions and adding dopant structures, such as chloride and carbon nanotubes (CNT). It was observed that the addition of carbon nanotubes favors the formation of nodules and increases the surface roughness. Also, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed that conductive polymer composites lower the impedance of gold microelectrodes by three orders of magnitude. We found that PPy and PEDOT carbon nanotubes composite coated electrodes maintain intimate contact with axons. Using these conductive polymer composites, high quality nerve spike signals can be detected and electrical stimulation of axons can be achieved.</jats:p