Developing less invasive methods to record and modulate brain activity
Official title: Minimally Invasive Endovascular Neural Interfaces for Brain Recording and Modulation
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11075238 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to safely connect to the brain using tiny, flexible devices that can be delivered through blood vessels, which could help improve treatments for brain conditions without the need for risky surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | April 16, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $120,017 |
| NIH project number | 5K99NS131570-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11075238 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would include individuals suffering from drug-resistant neurological conditions, such as advanced Alzheimer's disease or other chronic neurological disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-neurological conditions or those who do not have drug-resistant neurological diseases may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a new type of neuroelectronic interface that can be delivered through blood vessels to record and modulate brain activity without the need for invasive open-skull surgery. By using flexible probes that can navigate into small cortical vessels, the project aims to minimize risks such as bleeding and infection associated with traditional methods. The research will involve testing these probes in animal models to ensure they can effectively monitor and stimulate brain activity over the long term. Ultimately, this technology could lead to safer treatments for various neurological diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide safer and more effective treatment options for patients with drug-resistant neurological diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using endovascular techniques for brain recording, indicating that this approach could be a viable alternative to traditional methods.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Anqi — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Anqi
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.