Thin, high-density brain electrodes for improved seizure mapping and treatment
Thin, High-Density, High-Performance, Depth and Surface Microelectrodes for Diagnosis and Treatment of Epilepsy
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · NIH-11176794
Thin, flexible high-density brain surface and depth electrodes are being developed to help people with epilepsy map seizure areas and guide treatment.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11176794 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers are creating very thin, flexible grids that sit on the brain surface and thin depth electrodes that reach deeper seizure sources, each with thousands of tiny recording and stimulation contacts. The devices use a new platinum nanorod electrode material for better signal quality and safer stimulation, a thin parylene substrate that bends with the brain, and wireless power/data transfer to reduce external wiring. The system is modular so grids can be trimmed for different craniotomy sizes and depth leads can be reconfigured for different brain regions. These tools will be used in acute and semi‑chronic monitoring during clinical care to more precisely map seizure networks and potentially deliver targeted stimulation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with drug-resistant focal epilepsy who are planning or eligible for invasive monitoring or epilepsy surgery and who can consent to placement of experimental surface or depth electrodes.
Not a fit: People with well-controlled epilepsy, generalized epilepsy, or those who cannot or will not undergo invasive neurosurgical monitoring are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could allow more precise, less invasive seizure mapping and safer stimulation, helping guide surgery or other treatments to reduce seizures.
How similar studies have performed: Early human mapping trials with high-density microelectrode grids have shown feasibility, but fully wireless, high-channel-count surface and depth systems are still novel.
Where this research is happening
LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO — LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: DAYEH, SHADI — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- Study coordinator: DAYEH, SHADI
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 below.