Chinese researchers have achieved a groundbreaking advancement in neuroscience by developing a high-density, 1,024-channel neural probe capable of recording neuronal activities throughout the entire depth of a macaque monkey’s brain. This marks the first time such comprehensive neural mapping has been accomplished in a primate.
The innovative probe, named Neuroscroll, was designed and produced by a research team led by Duan Xiaojie at Peking University. The device isolates single neuronal activities simultaneously from 1,024 densely spaced channels that are flexibly distributed across the probe. This allows for unprecedented resolution and coverage in neural recording.
One of the key features of Neuroscroll is its adjustable length, ranging from 1 cm to 10 cm, making it suitable for brain sizes from small rodents to larger primates. This versatility opens up new possibilities for comparative studies across different species.
“Using Neuroscroll, we successfully monitored the activities of over 700 single neurons throughout the entire depth of the macaque brain,” said Duan. “Additionally, we’ve achieved stable neural recordings in the rat brain for up to two years, demonstrating the probe’s excellent biocompatibility and long-term stability.”
The team’s achievement not only provides a powerful tool for understanding complex brain functions but also holds potential for advancing research in neurological disorders and the development of brain-computer interfaces.
The study was published online on Monday in the journal Nature Neuroscience, highlighting the global significance of this technological breakthrough.
Reference(s):
China develops first neural probe to record activity in macaque brain
cgtn.com
