The goal is to modulate the communication patterns between neurons.
Paulo de Castro Aguiar and his group at the University of Porto (Portugal) are designing a system to treat brain diseases, based on what is known to date about how neurons communicate, which would not require medication.
“Research on the treatment of diseases that involve certain areas of the brain, such as epilepsy, has focused on the development of biochemical compounds,” says Aguiar. “However, brain activity is characterized by specific electrical patterns that neurons use. Our approach is focused on directly modulating these patterns,” he explains.
Together with his team, the scientist investigates the differences in the electrical patterns of neurons that reside in some brain regions when they suffer from a pathology and when they function normally. “We developed a device that modulates the activity of neurons in contact with electrodes. It is a neuromodulation system that continuously reads the electrical patterns of the neuron circuits and is capable of generating the appropriate stimulation to correct it or maintain it between certain parameters”, explains the researcher.
The most innovative thing about the development is that, instead of using conventional electronic components, it uses neuromorphic components that work like neurons and “speak their language.”
Although they will not focus on epilepsy, the first phase of the research will test the system in laboratory cell cultures and animal models of this disease. “To translate the use of this device into clinical practice, once we demonstrate that it works, we will still need to optimize and miniaturize it. Neuromodulation devices can significantly influence the treatment of brain diseases without the need for drugs”, comments Aguiar. Isabel Troytino