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Carbon Nanotubes as Electrical Interfaces with Neurons

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Brain Protection in Schizophrenia, Mood and Cognitive Disorders

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are emerging as promising nanomaterials for biomedical applications. Due to their unique structural, mechanical and electronic properties, CNTs can be used as electrical interfaces with the brain in particular with neurons. CNT-based neural interfaces/electrodes have been employed in cell culture and in vivo; they offer advantages over standard metal-based electrodes in terms of monitoring and stimulation of neuronal activity. One of the challenges for interfacing brain and machine is the biocompatibility of the materials used for electrode construction. While CNTs appear biocompatible, the exposure limits have not been set thus far. An appropriate (inter)national standards/rules for the use of CNTs need to be established before CNT-based electrodes/devices can be used in human subjects.

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Abbreviations

BBB:

blood-brain barrier

CNTs:

carbon nanotubes

DRG:

dorsal root ganglion

EEG:

electroencephalogram

ERP:

event-related potentials

MEA:

microelectrode array

MWNTs:

multi-walled CNTs

PPy:

polypyrole

RGCs:

retinal ganglion cells

SWNTs:

single-walled CNTs

TiN:

titanium nitride

VACNFs:

vertically aligned carbon nanofibers

3D:

three-dimensional

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Acknowledgements

We thank J. Robert Grammer for his comments on previous versions of this manuscript. The authors’ work is supported by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (MH 069791) and National Science Foundation (CBET 0943343). We dedicate this chapter to the late Glenn I. Hatton, whose work inspired new views of astrocyte-neuronal interactions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurobiology, Center for Glial Biology in Medicine, Atomic Force Microscopy & Nanotechnology Laboratories, Civitan International Research Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA

    William Lee M.S & Vladimir Parpura

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  1. William Lee M.S
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  2. Vladimir Parpura
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Correspondence to Vladimir Parpura .

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  1. Sha'ar Menashe Mental Health Center, Hadera, 38814, Israel

    Michael S. Ritsner

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Lee, W., Parpura, V. (2010). Carbon Nanotubes as Electrical Interfaces with Neurons. In: Ritsner, M. (eds) Brain Protection in Schizophrenia, Mood and Cognitive Disorders. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-8553-5_11

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