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This article comes from the official account of Wechat: SF Chinese (ID:kexuejiaodian), author: SF

Brain-computer interface can directly repair motor perception function, help high paraplegic patients, patients with ALS and blindness to restore their ability to live independently and communicate, and can also treat some mental diseases by regulating nerves. it has a broad prospect in the field of neurology and mental health. On the other hand, the non-implantable brain-computer interface does not need implantation surgery, and it is highly accepted by the public. after its signal quality and control accuracy have been improved, it may be widely popularized in the future.

Wen Jing | Wen Jing

Recently, Xiong Zhiqi, a researcher at the Center of brain Science and Intelligent Technology Excellence and Innovation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, published an article in brain stimulation (Brain Stimulation), reporting the team's new progress in the research on the direct regulation of cerebellar cortical neural activity by low-intensity ultrasound, which is another step forward for the practical application of this non-implantable brain-computer interface technology.

The core of the brain-computer interface of the emerging focused ultrasound technology is to give full play to the advantages of the human brain, bypass other organs of the human body, and allow the brain to interact directly and efficiently with external equipment. The main challenge in this area is to strike a balance between minimizing brain damage and making the most of it.

In terms of neural signal quality and neural regulation accuracy, there are still differences between non-implantable brain-computer interface and implantable brain-computer interface, but non-implantable brain-computer interface does not need implantation surgery, if side effects are easily eliminated, it will also be more acceptable to the public.

The key to brain-computer interface is neural regulation technology-targeted transmission of stimuli (such as electromagnetic stimuli, chemical reagents, etc.) to specific nerve sites to regulate neural activity.

At present, non-implantable neuroregulatory techniques mainly include transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), which can be used in the treatment and diagnosis of mental diseases. In addition, there is a new focused ultrasound (FUS). Relatively speaking, focused ultrasound has the advantages of high spatial accuracy, strong penetration and specific action on deep brain regions.

Previous studies have mainly focused on the neuroregulatory effect of ultrasound on some areas of the brain, but the potential of ultrasound in regulating cerebellar activity remains to be tapped.

In this study, the subjects were mice with point mutations in the proline-rich transmembrane protein 2 (Prrt2) gene (lacking Prrt2). The dyskinesia in the cerebellar cortex stimulated by ultrasound partially covered the symptoms of paroxysmal exercise-induced dyskinesia (PKD). Such behavioral responses are more intuitive and convincing than sensory-induced muscle responses.

Studies have shown that low-intensity ultrasound can induce a reversible increase in the activity of cerebellar cortical neurons and reliably trigger the behavioral response of Prrt2 gene mutant mice.

The study also ruled out the effects of peripheral auditory pathways and indirect auditory mechanisms (such as stressors, foot shock, caffeine, ethanol, running, etc.), and confirmed that low-intensity ultrasound does regulate the cerebellar cortex of mice.

In the experiment, it was observed that the change of neural activity lasted longer than the duration of stimulation. This may be the result of the change of neuronal excitability, which is an important idea for the development of rehabilitation strategies based on non-invasive neural regulation. This experiment is the first time that scientists have observed the persistent effect of ultrasound stimulation at the cellular level, which also proves the universality and heterogeneity of ultrasound-induced persistent effect of cerebellar cortical neurons.

The researchers say further experiments using a higher time-resolution gene-encoded voltage indicator, also known as a gene-encoded membrane potential probe, a transmembrane protein that converts nerve membrane potential directly into fluorescent signals, may provide more details about the complexity of neural circuits.

References:

Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2023.05.012

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