2. The mesh is injected through a hole in the mouse's skull. The netting is soft with smoothly integrated electronic components to cover the brain’s surface without damaging it, and as proven in an in vitro experiment in 2012, the netting integrates with brain cells. It’s flexibility enables it to move with the brain’s dynamic interface. In the in vivo trial, the team only monitored the mesh for five weeks, so testing still must be done regarding long-term compatibility with the brain.
The tested mesh consists of only 16 electrical elements, all capable of monitoring and stimulating individual neurons. Input and output signals are transmitted from protruding wires. A gelatin-based needle that can be used for injecting electrodes into the brain is a contender for future trials. Ideally, in future research, the scientists would like to design a wireless transmission system that would also be less intrusive.
As the technology improves, scientists hope to record synapsis paths of complex neural systems during different brain functions. If successful, they will have empirical data about neuronal pathways during passive thinking and hard concentration, activity after a stroke, or what goes on in a degrading brain of an Alzheimer patient.
The technology will give rise to more accurate artificial intelligence, a better understanding of brain diseases and function, as well as synapse patterns for different emotions or ways of thinking.
