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Betsiti Araya, Joshua O. Usoro, Stuart F. Cogan, Joseph J. Pancrazio
Intracortical microelectrode arrays (MEAs) are devices that can be implanted into the brain to record and/or stimulate neuronal activity. These devices can be implemented in both clinical and basic science applications. However, MEAs that are commercially available are made up of high modulus materials such as silicon that have drawbacks associated with their size and flexibility. These drawbacks may induce a considerable foreign body response(FBR) that leads to adverse effects on the motor function and behavior of the animal. On the other hand, probes made up of amorphous silicon carbide (a-SiC) can be fabricated with ultrasmall dimensions that result in better flexibility. These enhanced mechanical properties can reduce the response resulting from the probe insertion and micromotion of the surrounding brain tissue. In this study, rats were implanted with a-SiC probes and with commercially-available NeuroNexus (NNx) probes made up of silicon in order to investigate the behavioral deficits associated with probes of different flexibility. Behavioral measurements performed through knob supination task training and cylinder test recordings show that rats with a-SiC devices learn faster and return to their baseline level of performance sooner than rats with NNx devices indicating reduced FBR and faster recovery.
Presenter: Betsiti Araya
Institution: University of Texas at Dallas
Type: Poster
Subject: Biological & Chemical Engineering
Status: Approved
