Carbon Nanotubes on the Brain

Brain-machine interfaces aids in understanding brain function and to restore movement in paralyzed patients. This interface is established between neurons and electrodes. The electrodes are usually made up of metals and exhibit a high degree of electron impedance. Researchers have conducted experiments to test the effects of the addition of carbon nanotubes. The nanotubes coated needle shaped electrodes offer lower impedance, better noise reduction, greater sensitivity to electrical activity at the relevant range of brain frequencies, and higher charge transfer than bare metal electrodes. In addition, carbon nanotubes have great mechanical strength that is important in penetrating tissue and can operate as ballistic conductors. The technique employs chemistry that is readily available and requires no modifications to the existing equipments used to record electric signals. Using these new hybrid electrons, oxidizable transmitters such as dopamine could be detected, which can aid in the detection of Parkinson’s. Although still in its developmental stage, this emerging field of brain-machine interface is very promising because its success should lead to greater understanding of faulty electrical signals that are the cause of medical conditions such as Parkinson’s, epilepsy, and tetraplegia. It will be interesting to see the new developments that could lead to treatments for a variety of neural-related diseases.

http://www.nature.com/nnano/journal/v3/n7/full/nnano.2008.193.html

Section 502