# Mimicking the Architecture and Modulus of Native Brain Tissue onto Neural Implants to Improve Biocompatibility

> **NIH VA IK2** · VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION · 2020 · —

## Abstract

Electrical signals recorded from neurons by intracortical electrodes have been used by human patients to
communicate with computers and to control robotic limbs. The signal quality and longevity of recordable signals
are inconsistent. There is increasing evidence indicating that the neuro-inflammatory response may be a primary
hurdle to consistently obtaining high quality recordings. Within the brain, cells are living in the elastic extracellular
matrix (ECM) meshwork with 3D and high aspect ratio fibrillary protein structures. This environment is textured
and compliant, not smooth or stiff. In contrast, to the currently accepted and used surfaces of intracortical
microelectrodes. The discontinuity between the architecture and stiffness of the tissue and device results in the
initial inflammatory and chronic foreign body response to the implant. Current research aimed at alleviating the
inflammatory response, as well as improving the neuronal signal from electrodes, focuses on either therapeutic
or materials-based solutions. Limited emphasis has been placed on combinatorial approaches that mimic the
physical properties of the native ECM, including the architecture and stiffness.
 The current proposal seeks to progress the training of Dr. Ereifej where the CDA-1 training left off, ensuring
continuity. The candidates CDA-1 preliminary work has successfully etched surface modifications based on the
architecture (but not orientation) of native brain tissue onto non-functional silicon Michigan style shanks. It was
shown that implants etched with nanoscale surface modifications were able to decrease glial cell activation and
increase neuronal viability around the implant site over time. However, Dr. Ereifej has yet to: 1) characterize the
long-term effects or 2) evaluate various orientations of lines, to determine the optimal surface modifications.
Given the documented role that substrate stiffness has on cellular response to materials, it is also imperative to
evaluate the configurations on materials with a modulus similar to brain tissue. Therefore, the central hypothesis
to this proposal is that microelectrodes that more closely mimic the architecture and modulus of native brain
tissue will result in improved biocompatibility, displayed through a reduced chronic inflammatory response,
improved long-term recording stability, and decreased motor deficits.
 We propose to first characterize the neuroinflammatory, electrophysiological and motor behavior response
evoked by chronic implantation of intracortical microelectrodes etched with surface modifications. This aim will
test the hypothesis that microelectrodes etched with surface modifications mimicking that of the native
environment will result in a reduced neuroinflammatory response of the surrounding tissue, improved stability of
recorded neuronal signals and result in less motor deficits compared to control animals. Specific Aim 1 will utilize
the neural implants with the bio-inspired surface arch...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9857485
- **Project number:** 5IK2RX002628-03
- **Recipient organization:** VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
- **Principal Investigator:** Evon S. Ereifej
- **Activity code:** IK2 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-03-01 → 2022-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9857485

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9857485, Mimicking the Architecture and Modulus of Native Brain Tissue onto Neural Implants to Improve Biocompatibility (5IK2RX002628-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9857485. Licensed CC0.

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