Medtronic researchers are developing a prototype neural implant that uses light to change the behavior of neurons in the brain. The device is based on the new science of neuromodulation optogenetic, in which specific brain cells are genetically modified to respond to light. Medtronic, the world’s largest manufacturer of biomedical technology, aims to use the device to better understand how electrical therapies currently used to treat Parkinson’s disease and other disorders, and relieves symptoms of these diseases.

Medtronic scientists say they will use the findings to improve electrical stimulation of the firm already sells, but others expect the time to use the optical directly as therapeutic treatments.

Today, neural implants work by delivering measured doses of electrical stimulation through a thin electrode inserted surgically through a small hole in the skull of a patient, with its tip located in a brain region located . From the S. U. Food and Drug Administration approved the Pacer “as the brains” of the devices and the processing power offered base – called deep brain stimulation (DBS) – a condition called essential tremor in 1997 for Parkinson’s disease in 2002, and dystonia in 2003, over 75,000 people had to install them. The electrical pulses are believed to counteract the abnormal neuronal activity in response to various diseases, so that doctors know little about how the DBS.

Despite his success as neural prostheses have serious drawbacks. Besides the brutal fact of their physical location, which stimulate the neurons near the electrode indiscriminately. This hyperactivity can cause dizziness, tingling and other side effects. They also produce a noise “power”, which also tracks the use of hard neural signals and simultaneous scanning systems such as magnetic resonance silence is almost impossible, which prevents researchers from obtaining evidence about how it actually works DBS
In recent years, scientists have developed a way to stimulate neurons using light instead of electricity. First, the researchers introduced a gene for a light-sensitive molecule, the channelrhodopsin 2 (chr2) in a specific subset of neurons. To shed light on blue then causes these neurons to fire. One advantage of this approach is its specificity – only neurons with the gene is activated. It also provides a way to turn off the neurons – the introduction of a different molecule, halorhodopsin (NpHR) silenced cells in response to light yellow. “This is the only other thing about this approach,” said Tim Denison, senior director of engineering CI for the neuromodulation division of Medtronic. “This allows us to silence the activity of neurons is extremely difficult with electrostimulation.

While scientists at the University to develop new tools to provide light to the brain, Medtronic is developing a database for commercial use optogenetically implant. The module, which is approximately the size and shape of a small USB flash drive, a wireless data link, a power management unit, a microcontroller, and an optical stimulator. It uses a fiber optic cable for directing light blue or white LED green neurons in the brain. The company plans to market the device to neuroscientists and used for internal research on the effects of DBS.