For the first time ever, researchers from the University of Cambridge have shown that graphene, a two-dimensional form of carbon, can safely and successfully form an interface with neurons in the brain. This work may help scientists build graphene-based electrodes that can help them restore functions in amputees or paralyzed patients, as well as those with motor disorders such as Parkinson's disease.
While previous studies have shown that treated graphene can interact with neurons, the signal to noise ratio was very low, making the effectiveness and safety of the applications low. Now, the researchers used untreated graphene and were able to retain the electric conductivity of the electrode, thus making it more effective.
"For the first time we interfaced graphene to neurons directly," Laura Ballerini, co-author of the study, said in a press release. "We then tested the ability of neurons to generate electrical signals known to represent brain activities, and found that the neurons retained their neuronal signalling properties unaltered. This is the first functional study of neuronal synaptic activity using uncoated graphene based materials."
When modern electrodes are used for this kind of interface, they typically suffer from partial or complete signal loss over time due to the formation of scar tissue from the electrode insertion. Graphene shows great potential to be an alternative material that will solve these problems.
"We are currently involved in frontline research in graphene technology towards biomedical applications," said Maurizio Prato, who also participated in the research. "In this scenario, the development and translation in neurology of graphene-based high-performance biodevices requires the exploration of the interactions between graphene nano- and micro-sheets with the sophisticated signalling machinery of nerve cells. Our work is only a first step in that direction."
The findings were published in the Dec. 23 issue of ACS Nano.
