EPFL Researchers Develop Neural Chip to Decode Brain Region Interactions

New Neural Chip for Brain Activity Monitoring

Researchers at EPFL have created an implantable neural chip named LogSync. This device is designed to record brain activity and extract biomarkers related to brain wave strength and synchrony across different brain regions. The development is part of a CHF 6.6 million grant from the US National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH).

Addressing Limitations in Deep Brain Stimulation

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a therapeutic technique used for movement disorders and is being explored for psychiatric illnesses. Current DBS systems often use predefined settings or rely on signals from a single brain region. This approach is limited for psychiatric disorders, which often involve disruptions in communication across brain networks.

Network-Level Biomarkers for Psychiatric Disorders

Mahsa Shoaran, head of the Integrated Neurotechnologies Lab at EPFL, states that psychiatric disorders are increasingly understood as arising from communication disruptions between brain regions. LogSync addresses this by analyzing network-level biomarkers. A machine-learning algorithm processes these biomarkers to distinguish cognitive and emotional states and trigger stimulation accordingly.

Implications for Adaptive Therapies

The LogSync chip is a low-power system-on-chip that aims to enable more targeted and adaptive stimulation. By continuously monitoring and responding to brain activity across multiple regions, the system could lead to more effective neuromodulation therapies for severe psychiatric illnesses, particularly mood and anxiety disorders.