Deep brain stimulation (DBS) holds great promise to treat neurological disorders ranging from Parkinson's disease to depression. But the current electrode used for implanting in DBS tend to induce an immune response in patients that reduces the treatment's efficacy. over time. Researchers at Tel Aviv University (TAU) have developed a bioactive coating for electrodes that suppresses the brain's immune response and increasing the longevity and efficacy of the implant.
Once implanted under the skin, the medical device emits high-frequency currents that are transferred to the brain via electrodes. But, the electrodes are identified as foreign bodies and scarring occurs to the brain tissue receiving treatment which results in signals not being communicated to the brain.
By applying a protein-based bioactive coating using a protein that is actually active within the brain itself to the electrodes, the researchers were able to suppress the brain's immune response. The protein, in its natural setting, maintains physical stability by localizing brain damage. The researchers report that their coated electrodes outperformed both non-coated and other protein-based coatings in preclinical studies conducted with animal models.
