A device that controls the lab rat brain wirelessly?

A research team at Washington Medical University and the Korea Graduate School of Science and Technology succeeded in controlling the behavior of mice by linking wireless devices embedded in the brain with Bluetooth, a wireless communication standard.

Of the wireless devices developed by a research team at the Washington Medical University, the part that actually buryes the head of a mouse is the size of a hair. The main body of the wireless device is fixed to the head of a mouse, and the terminal and electronic devices such as a smartphone are linked via Bluetooth. In addition to being able to operate wireless devices remotely, it is also possible to administer drugs on the body to mice. A small LED is built into the tip of the brain, which can emit red and blue lights. As much as the wireless device works, it adopts light genetics technology that stimulates nerves with light.

Electrical stimulation is mainly used as a method of manipulating neural activity, but this technology has a problem that precise control is difficult because all cells around the electrode are stimulated. With optogenetic technology, a protein that responds to light can be introduced into specific cells by genetic methods, enabling high-precision nervous system control. However, optogenetics technology was only possible with a cable connection so far, and there were problems such as impeding the movement of the target rat or damaging the brain with a metal radio.

The wireless device that the research team developed this time can be controlled by Bluetooth, so it does not require a cable and is made of a soft material, so it has less brain damage. Also, since the chip containing the drug can be exchanged in the form of a cartridge, there is no need to remove a wireless device to supply the drug. As a result, it can be used for a much longer time than existing wireless devices.

The research team installed this device in mice and conducted an experiment that stimulated with light while administering a GABA-A receptor blocker. As a result, it succeeded in an experiment such as rotating a 50cm square in a certain direction.

The research team explained that through this experiment, we were able to see how neurotransmitters in the brain control behavior, and that we are focusing on developing brain wireless devices that apply this knowledge and nanoscale engineering technology. In the future, it may be used for treatment such as Parkinson or Alzheimer’s. Related information can be found here .