Spotlight on Neurotechnology: Interacting with Networks
Authors: Benedicte M. Babayan, Rashmi Sarnaik, Mariela Zirlinger
Journal: Neuron (2020)

This third and final special issue in our series on neurotechnology focuses on tools for modulating neural circuits. The first part of this series explored methods used to build and map networks, while the second part covered approaches to reading activity at different spatiotemporal scales. Here, in this final installment, we discuss large-scale electrode systems for recording, neural implants for manipulating central and peripheral signals, and considerations for translation of these technologies to the clinic. We begin with Arto Nurmikko’s overview of the progress in cortical interfaces over the years and a discussion of the strategies for development of the next-generation large-scale devices for closed-loop stimulation by concurrently recording and stimulating. From the perspective of device design, Xie and colleagues review recent advances in the development of electrodes, electronics, and analytical tools for neural interfaces that are minimally invasive and long-lasting and that operate at large scales. Among the challenges for long-term recordings are physical tissue damage and a deterioration of measured signals due to mechanical and chemical mismatch between the tissue and the electrode interface. To address these limitations, various soft materials and flexible designs are being explored. Lacour and colleagues elaborate on the need for specific methods to test and validate novel soft-electrode systems. They also provide a stepwise protocol and interpretative guidelines to evaluate the performance of soft neural implants in vitro and in vivo. The design of devices—whether electrical, optical, ultrasonic, or multi-modal—meant to interact with the peripheral nervous system and other organs raises a specific set of challenges. Anikeeva and colleagues offer insights into issues of immunoreactivity, accessibility, and experimental objectives of peripheral devices. They also highlight the value of an iterative, cross-disciplinary process that can accelerate new device development for successful clinical application. Overall, the translation of neurotechnology from the bench to the clinic—with the prospect of implementing therapeutic and assistive technologies—is a multi-faceted process. Denison and colleagues reflect on lessons learned from earlier technological milestones and advocate for an ecosystem of academic, industry, and governmental entities that could support the development and success of neurotechnologies across technical, regulatory, and translational domains. We close with two interviews that give us a flavor of the exciting new perspectives that other disciplines bring to this field. Keith Kirkland talks about the launch of a haptics design company that creates products for communicating spatial information through touch and how he leveraged his background in engineering and fashion. In our conversation with Deblina Sarkar, we learn of yet another unconventional journey, from her achievements in transistor design to her current focus on nanotechnology to develop devices with improved integration with biological systems. As we close this series, we hope that you have enjoyed and learned from these exciting articles, which highlight how much progress has been made and what lies ahead for neurotechnology development and implementation. We are immensely grateful to the many authors and reviewers who have enthusiastically and thoughtfully contributed to this special issue series and apologize to all those whose tremendous contributions we couldn’t feature. We are always interested in hearing about new perspectives and breakthroughs in neurotechnology to share with our readership, so we warmly invite you to write to us.