Targeted Optical Neural Stimulation: A New Era for Personalized Medicine

Targeted optical neural stimulation comprises infrared neural stimulation and optogenetics, which affect the nervous system through induced thermal transients and activation of light-sensitive proteins, respectively. The main advantage of this pair of optical tools is high functional selectivity, which conventional electrical stimulation lacks. Over the past 15 years, the mechanism, safety, and feasibility of optical stimulation techniques have undergone continuous investigation and development. When combined with other methods like optical imaging and high-field functional magnetic resonance imaging, the translation of optical stimulation to clinical practice adds high value. We review the theoretical foundations and current state of optical stimulation, with a particular focus on infrared neural stimulation as a potential bridge linking optical stimulation to personalized medicine.

The development of microfabricated solenoids with magnetic cores for micromagnetic neural stimulation

Electrical stimulation via invasive microelectrodes is commonly used to treat a wide range of neurological and psychiatric conditions. Despite its remarkable success, the stimulation performance is not sustainable since the electrodes become encapsulated by gliosis due to foreign body reactions. Magnetic stimulation overcomes these limitations by eliminating the need for a metal-electrode contact. Here, we demonstrate a novel microfabricated solenoid inductor (80 µm × 40 µm) with a magnetic core that can activate neuronal tissue. The characterization and proof-of-concept of the device raise the possibility that micromagnetic stimulation solenoids that are small enough to be implanted within the brain may prove to be an effective alternative to existing electrode-based stimulation devices for chronic neural interfacing applications.