The development of a biologically active coating for electrodes used
in recording and stimulation of the nervous system is proposed. The
coating is based on a co-polymer of poly(ethylene glycol)/polylactic
acid (PEG-PLA) that contains a neurotrophic factor as a slowly
releasable constituent. Release of the neurotrophin promotes the
extension of neural processes to the electrode surface. The close
proximity of the electrode to viable
neural processes will enhance the stability and sensitivity of neural
recordings and may reduce charge- injection thresholds for neural
excitation. Surface treatment of electrodes with cell adhesion peptides
will also be evaluated as a means of preserving the interface once the
neurotrophic factor is exhausted. Our objectives for the Phase II effort
are 1) to assess the benefits of neurotrophin-eluting polymers on
microelectrodes implanted in an animal model appropriate to
intracortical recording for direct thought-based control of
extracorporal devices for the spinal cord injured, 2) to assess the
benefit of neurotrophin-eluting coatings on stimulation electrodes in a
model of neurodegenerative disease, specifically retinal stimulation
electrodes in visual prostheses for retinitis pigmentosa, and 3) to
evaluate the use of surface-bound coatings of peptide adhesion molecules
to chronically stabilize the close proximity of neural processes at the
electrode surface established by short-term neurotrophin elution.
Prostheses are being developed for individuals with spinal cord injury,
deafness, blindness and diseases that impair movement. These prostheses
will function by electrically stimulating nerves or by recording nerve
activity in the brain. The use of biodegradable coatings on these
electrodes to enhance the electrical connection between the implanted
metal electrodes and nerve cells in the brain is proposed. The coatings
will elute biologically active molecules that encourage nerve cells to
grow to the implanted electrodes, increasing the efficiency and
reliability of the stimulation and recording properties of the
prostheses. 
Friday, March 23, 2018
FUNCTIONALIZED COATING FOR ENHANCED NEURAL INTERFACES
The development of a biologically active coating for electrodes used
in recording and stimulation of the nervous system is proposed. The
coating is based on a co-polymer of poly(ethylene glycol)/polylactic
acid (PEG-PLA) that contains a neurotrophic factor as a slowly
releasable constituent. Release of the neurotrophin promotes the
extension of neural processes to the electrode surface. The close
proximity of the electrode to viable
neural processes will enhance the stability and sensitivity of neural
recordings and may reduce charge- injection thresholds for neural
excitation. Surface treatment of electrodes with cell adhesion peptides
will also be evaluated as a means of preserving the interface once the
neurotrophic factor is exhausted. Our objectives for the Phase II effort
are 1) to assess the benefits of neurotrophin-eluting polymers on
microelectrodes implanted in an animal model appropriate to
intracortical recording for direct thought-based control of
extracorporal devices for the spinal cord injured, 2) to assess the
benefit of neurotrophin-eluting coatings on stimulation electrodes in a
model of neurodegenerative disease, specifically retinal stimulation
electrodes in visual prostheses for retinitis pigmentosa, and 3) to
evaluate the use of surface-bound coatings of peptide adhesion molecules
to chronically stabilize the close proximity of neural processes at the
electrode surface established by short-term neurotrophin elution.
Prostheses are being developed for individuals with spinal cord injury,
deafness, blindness and diseases that impair movement. These prostheses
will function by electrically stimulating nerves or by recording nerve
activity in the brain. The use of biodegradable coatings on these
electrodes to enhance the electrical connection between the implanted
metal electrodes and nerve cells in the brain is proposed. The coatings
will elute biologically active molecules that encourage nerve cells to
grow to the implanted electrodes, increasing the efficiency and
reliability of the stimulation and recording properties of the
prostheses. 
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