Abstract
Intracortical microelectrodes have shown great success in enabling locked-in patients to interact with computers, robotic limbs, and their own electrically driven limbs. The recent advances have inspired world-wide enthusiasm resulting in billions of dollars invested in federal and industrial sponsorships to understanding the brain for rehabilitative applications. Additionally, private philanthropists have also demonstrated excitement in the field by investing in the use of brain interfacing technologies as a means to human augmentation. While the promise of incredible technologies is real, caution must be taken as implications regarding optimal performance and unforeseen side effects following device implantation into the brain are not fully characterized. The current study is aimed to quantify any motor deficit caused by microelectrode implantation in the motor cortex of healthy rats compared to non-implanted controls. Following electrode insertion, rats were tested on an open-field grid test to study gross motor function and a ladder test to study fine motor function. It was discovered that rats with chronically indwelling intracortical microelectrodes exhibited up to an incredible 527% increase in time to complete the fine motor task. This initial study defines the need for further and more robust behavioral testing of potential unintentional harm caused by microelectrode implantation.
Highlights
Intracortical microelectrodes have historically been used as an essential tool for the elucidation of the functional circuitry of the brain
Motor function metrics were recorded twice weekly for 16 weeks post-surgery
Fine motor function was investigated through a ladder test[34], and gross motor function was investigated through an open field grid test[35]
Summary
Intracortical microelectrodes have historically been used as an essential tool for the elucidation of the functional circuitry of the brain. Intracortical microelectrodes are implanted in the cortex, and recordings can be taken from individual or small populations of neurons, allowing for the advancement of brain-machine interface (BMI) technology[2,3]. As such, promising clinical trials with BMIs have spurred interest in better understanding the brain, and enabling limitless rehabilitative applications[11], while inspiring the incorporation of microelectrodes into additional brain interfacing devices. Due to these early successes, BMIs have spurred interest as a means to futuristic human augmentation. Astrocytes migrate to the site of implantation to help form the glial scar in an attempt to separate the healthy brain tissue from the implant[16,17,20]
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