Since their development, auditory, visual and pain-reducing neuroprosthetic devices
have improved the lives of thousands of patients. Further advances in motor neuroprosthetics
are attempting to restore motor functions in tetraplegic, limb loss and brain stem
stroke paralysis subjects. This has been clinically feasible by simulating the conditions
by which neuroplasticity is triggered.[1]
While the use of nanotechnology in neurosurgery is still at a developmental stage,
over the next few decades medicine will witness an influx of nanotechnology techniques
to neurosurgery in the areas of management, detection and treatment of gliomas, oncology,
neuromodulation, neuroregeneration,[2] and minimally-invasive diagnostic and neurosurgical techniques.[3]
[4] For example, future neurosurgical procedures may use laser beams to seal tissue
via the use of specific gold nanorods (GNRs), which would significantly minimize vascular
injury and decrease postoperative healing time.[3]
The advent of nanotechnology in neurosurgery will challenge the current mechanistic
approach that informs neuroprosthetics, through which it is not possible to apprehend
the complexity of the cortical processes involved in cognitive, motor and sensory
functions. One reason for this is our insufficient knowledge of the evolutionary processes
that have shaped the human cerebrum.[5]
Second, current neuroprosthetic devices have a range of postoperative problems that
include inflammation, glial-cell necrosis and scarring,[6] as well as degradation of electrode implants, among other problems. These are well-known
to every neurosurgeon. Additionally, even the type of implantation method used by
neurosurgeons,[7] as well as the time it takes to insert a neuroprosthetic device, can reduce their
efficiency.[8]
Recently, we published an article[9] in Frontiers in Neuroscience in which we developed an idea for a novel nanotech neuroprosthetic device called
“endomyccorhizae-like interface” (ELI). One reason for the development of ELI was
to bypass the aforementioned neurosurgical problems.[9] Our design for ELI was inspired by endomyccorhizae (fungus/plant root symbiosis). During this process, fungi bundles project finger-like
extensions (mycelium) that penetrate plant roots, forming a branching matrix (arbuscules). Similarly, in theory, ELI would send out multiple mesh fibers from a cation chamber.
Briefly, the fiber tips would then attach to specific axonal membranes, thus achieving
connectivity.[9] ELI's role would be in transmitting action potentials between neurons to which it
is connected, as well as in improving the speed of receiving action potentials. In
other words, ELI would endeavor to partially regain the normal connectivity speeds
in interrupted neural pathways (that is, those evident in neurodegenerative disorders)
without altering the regular tasks of neurons.[9] Uninhibited increase in neuronal activity may lead to functional difficulties. Therefore,
ELI or other future nano-based neuroprosthetic devices will need to be able to react
to inhibitory signals, thereby enhancing their sensitivity to signaling.
The ELI device would be delivered using a fine syringe needle through the orbital
roof, which is lined with meninges, and inserted ∼ 1 mm into the subarachnoid space
with the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).[9] The micro-diameter of the needle would ensure minimal invasiveness. Recently, researchers
have used syringe needles with a diameter of 100 µm when injecting implanted electrical
meshes into the brains of anaesthetized mice.[10]
Hence, this type of delivery would avoid the problems of injecting nanoparticles into
the blood-brain barrier. The ELI would move using a propeller-like device. Upon entering
the subarachnoid space, ELI would be in proximity with the cortical surface, and would
spread over the neocortex by sensing the electrical activity of neurons. The energy
to power ELI could be obtained from adenosine triphosphate (ATP)[11] or brain-cell (neurons and glial cells) electrolytes.[12]
We envisage that the quantification of the cognitive improvements achieved by patients
could be made by measurements of mental aptitude with an appropriate test such as
the IQ test or modified psychometric tests, based on recommendations by Snow et al[13] and Ferrara.[14] The tests would encompass a wide-ranging structure to assess not only the mental
processes in patients (numerical/verbal/diagrammatic reasoning, tests for explicit/implicit
memory), but also the interaction between patient and task in various situations and
environments, as well as the response and reaction performance during kinesiology
tasks to assess neural control in various clinical contexts.[14]
[15] Performance results would be recorded in computer-based formats, enabling scientists
to deduce the novel context exploration (NCE)/neuron interaction in individuals.[14] Comprehensive testing would be ongoing to determine the long-term effects of NCEs.
While ELI is at a developmental stage, it exemplifies how nanotechnology may be able
to significantly reduce the problems of current neuroprosthetic devices. A great deal
of work is needed before ELI or other nano-based neural devices are engineered and
become part of neurosurgery. The feasibility of such neuroprosthetics will require
an understanding of the dynamics of diffuse neural networks and their integrative
faculties.
The feasibility of using ELI seems obvious in neurodegenerative disorders that slow
down, or interrupt, the communication among neurons. The device may also become useful
in cases of recovery from strokes, brain injuries or therapeutic removal of a part
of the cortex, when tumors are excised, for example. In those cases, it is necessary
for uninjured cortical areas to take over functions normally performed in the damaged/removed
cortex, and increasing the connectivity of the remaining cortex may improve the recovery.
Were ELIs be able to be made sensitive to specific neurosecretions, they might provide
replacements for dysfunctional neurotransmitter systems, such as dopaminergic systems.
