Biology subjects

ACERBO, E.

Publications and source records attributed to ACERBO, E..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2023

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Improves with Non-invasive Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation using Temporal Interference

BackgroundPeripheral nerve stimulation is used in both clinical and fundamental research for therapy and exploration. At present, non-invasive peripheral nerve stimulation still lacks the penetration depth to reach deep nerve targets and the stimulation focality to offer selectivity. It is therefore rarely employed as the primary selected nerve stimulation method. We have previously demonstrated that a new stimulation technique, temporal interference stimulation, can overcome depth and focality issues. MethodsHere, we implement a novel form of temporal interference, bilateral temporal interference stimulation, for bilateral hypoglossal nerve stimulation in rodents and humans. Pairs of electrodes are placed alongside both hypoglossal nerves to stimulate them synchronously and thus decrease the stimulation amplitude required to activate hypoglossal-nerve controlled tongue movement. ResultsComparing bilateral temporal interference stimulation with unilateral temporal interference stimulation, we show that it can elicit the same behavioral and electrophysiological responses at a reduced stimulation amplitude. Traditional transcutaneous stimulation evokes no response with equivalent amplitudes of stimulation. ConclusionsDuring first in-man studies, temporal interference stimulation was found to be well-tolerated, and to clinically reduce apnea-hypopnea events in a subgroup of female patients with obstructive sleep apnea. These results suggest a high clinical potential for the use of temporal interference in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and other diseases as a safe, effective, and patient-friendly approach. Trial registrationThe protocol was conducted with the agreement of the International Conference on Harmonisation Good Clinical Practice (ICH GCP), applicable United States Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and followed the approved BRANY IRB File # 22-02-636-1279.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2021

Laser-driven Wireless Deep Brain Stimulation using Temporal Interference and Organic Electrolytic Photocapacitors

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a technique commonly used both in clinical and fundamental neurosciences. Classically, brain stimulation requires an implanted and wired electrode system to deliver stimulation directly to the target area. Although techniques such as temporal interference (TI) can provide stimulation at depth without involving any implanted electrodes, these methods still rely on a wired apparatus which limits free movement. Herein we report organic photocapacitors as untethered light-driven electrodes which convert deep-red light into electric current. Pairs of these ultrathin devices can be driven using lasers at two different frequencies to deliver stimulation at depth via temporally interfering fields. We validate this concept of laser TI stimulation using numerical modeling, ex vivo tests with phantom samples, and finally in vivo tests. Wireless organic photocapacitors are placed on the cortex and elicit stimulation in the hippocampus, while not delivering off-target stimulation in the cortex. This laser-driven wireless TI evoked a neuronal response at depth that is comparable to control experiments induced with deep brain stimulation protocols using implanted electrodes. Our work shows that a combination of these two techniques - temporal interference and organic electrolytic photocapacitors - provides a reliable way to target brain structures requiring neither deeply implanted electrodes nor tethered stimulator devices. The laser TI protocol demonstrated here address two of the most important drawbacks in the field of deep brain stimulation and thus holds potential to solve many issues in freely-moving animal experiments or for clinical chronic therapy application.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2021

Organic electrolytic photocapacitors for stimulation of the mouse somatosensory cortex

ObjectiveFor decades electrical stimulation has been used in neuroscience to investigate brain networks and been deployed clinically as a mode of therapy. Classically, all methods of electrical stimulation require implanted electrodes to be connected in some manner to an apparatus which provides power for the stimulation itself. ApproachWe show the use of novel organic electronic devices, specifically organic electrolytic photocapacitors (OEPCs), which can be activated when illuminated with deep-red wavelengths of light and correspondingly do not require connections with external wires or power supplies when implanted at various depths in vivo. Main resultsWe stimulated cortical brain tissue of mice with devices implanted subcutaneously, as well as beneath both the skin and skull to demonstrate a wireless stimulation of the whisker motor cortex. Devices induced both a behavior response (whisker movement) and a sensory response in the corresponding sensory cortex. Additionally, we showed that coating OEPCs with a thin layer of a conducting polymer formulation (PEDOT:PSS) significantly increases their charge storage capacity, and can be used to further optimize the applied photoelectrical stimulation. SignificanceOverall, this new technology can provide an on-demand electrical stimulation by simply using an OEPC and a deep-red wavelength illumination. Wires and interconnects to provide power to implanted neurostimulation electrodes are often problematic in freely-moving animal research and with implanted electrodes for long-term therapy in patients. Our wireless brain stimulation opens new perspectives for wireless electrical stimulation for applications in fundamental neurostimulation and in chronic therapy.

bioengineering↗