Researchers Devise Tool to Improve Imaging of Neuronal Activity in the Brain

In a partnership melding neuroscience and electrical engineering, researchers from UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State University have developed a new technology that will allow neuroscientists to capture images of the brain almost 10 times larger than previously possible – helping them better understand the behavior of neurons in the brain.



Nervous systems are complex. After all, everything that any animal thinks or does is controlled by its nervous system. To better understand how complex nervous systems work, researchers have used an expanding array of ever more sophisticated tools that allow them to actually see what’s going on. In some cases, neuroscience researchers have had to create entirely new tools to advance their work.

This is how an electrical engineering researcher ended up co-authoring a Nature Biotechnology paper with a group of neuroscientists.

A UNC-Chapel Hill research team made up of Jeff Stirman, Ikuko Smith and Spencer Smith wanted to be able to look at “ensemble” neuronal activity related to how mice process visual input. In other words, they wanted to look at activity in neurons across multiple areas at the same time.

To do that, the researchers used a two-photon microscope, which images fluorescence. In this case, it could be used to see which neurons “light up” when active.

The problem was that conventional two-photon microscopy systems could only look at approximately one square millimeter of brain tissue at a time. That made it hard to simultaneously capture neuron activity in different areas.

This is where Michael Kudenov comes in. An assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at NC State, Kudenov’s area of expertise is remote imaging. His work focuses on developing new instruments and sensors to improve the performance of technologies used in everything from biomedical imaging to agricultural research.

After being contacted by the UNC researchers, Kudenov designed a series of new lenses for the microscope. Stirman further refined the designs and incorporated them into an overall two-photon imaging system that allowed the researchers to scan much larger areas of the brain. Instead of capturing images covering one square millimeter of the brain, they could capture images covering more than 9.5 square millimeters.

This advance allows them to simultaneously scan widely separated populations of neurons.

As the group notes in its Nature Biotechnology paper, this work addresses “a major barrier to progress in two-photon imaging of neuronal activity: the limited field of view.”

The paper, “Wide field-of-view, multi-region, two-photon imaging of neuronal activity in the mammalian brain,” was published June 27 in the journal Nature Biotechnology.

Details can be found from NCSU website by following this link.

St. Jude Medical Launches New Deep Brain Stimulation System and Directional Lead

St. Jude Medical announced the European launch of the St. Jude Medical Infinity™ Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) System and directional DBS lead. The system, which received CE Mark approval late in 2015, will support the treatment of patients with the three most common movement disorders in the world: Parkinson’s disease, tremor and dystonia, a disorder which causes involuntary muscle contractions.



Movement disorders are neurologic conditions caused by a communication breakdown throughout the central nervous system that can result in a debilitating loss of muscle control, involuntary movement and reduced coordination. There are currently no proven cures for movement disorders, which means treatment options focus on alleviating symptoms to improve quality of life. St. Jude Medical designed the Infinity system to improve the experience of patients who rely on DBS therapy to manage their symptoms. The company also developed the St. Jude Medical directional lead to help physicians more accurately tailor DBS therapy to their patient’s specific needs while reducing side effects.

The first physician to implant the new Infinity system and the St. Jude Medical directional lead was Prof. Jan Vesper, a professor of functional neurosurgery and stereotaxy at the University Hospital in Düsseldorf, Germany, and president of the German Neuromodulation Society.

“The Infinity system is the first DBS system I’ve encountered that adjusts to the patient’s individual needs, rather than forcing the patient to adjust to the system,” said Prof. Vesper. “Offering my patients a DBS system with exceptional ease of use and smooth manageability is an exciting step in the treatment of debilitating movement disorders.”

A DBS system, like the St. Jude Medical Infinity DBS system, delivers mild electrical pulses to specific targets in the brain to stimulate the structures involved in motor control. With the launch of the Infinity system, St. Jude Medical aims to empower physicians to more accurately deliver stimulation with a DBS system. The new St. Jude Medical directional lead can deliver stimulation more precisely through eight independent electrodes that allow physicians to specifically direct current to targeted structures and areas of the brain. This advance will allow physicians to tailor the therapy to a patient’s specific needs while avoiding unnecessary stimulation to areas that may create side effects.

The Infinity system also offers new, distinct patient advantages. For patient comfort, the system is available in two different sizes, offers a maintenance-free and long-lasting recharge-free system, and uses Bluetooth® wireless technology and Apple™ digital devices for its patient controller and physician programmers. In addition, the St. Jude Medical Infinity system is also upgradeable, which provides patients the potential to access new therapy advances as they’re approved without the need for repeat surgery.

“The Infinity DBS system and directional lead design was designed to meet the needs of physicians who confirmed that they needed a system that prioritized improved stimulation targeting, device longevity and improved patient ease of use,” said Dr. Allen Burton, medical director of neuromodulation and vice president of medical affairs at St. Jude Medical. “The Infinity DBS system is our answer for these previously unmet needs, demonstrating St. Jude Medical’s commitment to patient-centric solutions that help alleviate the debilitating effects of movement disorders.”

A press release can be found from St. Jude website.

Brain stimulation may reduce anorexia symptoms

Core symptoms of anorexia nervosa, including the urge to restrict food intake and feeling fat, are reduced after just one session of a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, according to King’s College London Research.

This new study is the first randomised control trial to assess whether repetitive transcranial stimulation (rTMS), already an approved treatment for depression, is also effective in reducing symptoms of anorexia.

Up to 20 per cent of people with anorexia die prematurely from the disorder and treatments in adults are moderately effective, with only 20-30 per cent of people recovering from the best available talking therapies.

Given the urgent need to improve treatments, researchers are increasingly looking towards emerging neuroscience-based technologies that could target the underlying neural basis of anorexia.

In the study, 49 people completed food exposure and decision-making tasks, both before and after a session of either real or placebo rTMS. Symptoms of anorexia were measured immediately prior to and following rTMS, as well as 20 minutes and 24 hours after the session.

This study represents independent research part-funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London.

For more details please visit King's College London Research website by clicking here.