MIT Develops Tiny Wireless Devices to Wrap Around Neurons

Researchers at MIT have created innovative wireless devices small enough to wrap around individual neurons, potentially revolutionizing brain research and treatment, SciTech Daily revealed yesterday.

These battery-free, soft polymer devices can gently conform to neuron structures like axons and dendrites without causing damage. Activated by light, they can measure and modulate neuronal electrical and metabolic activity at a subcellular level.

The technology may aid in restoring neuronal function in conditions like multiple sclerosis by acting as synthetic myelin, which insulates axons and facilitates efficient electrical impulse transmission. The devices are designed for scalability, allowing thousands to be injected and controlled noninvasively.

Deblina Sarkar, leading the research, emphasizes the potential for these devices to create tiny circuits for precise cellular interactions. The findings, published in Nature Communications Chemistry, mark a significant advancement in neuroengineering and could pave the way for new treatments in brain disorders.