Enteric Bioelectronics for Sensing and Stimulating the CNS

Introduction

Therapies for neurological disorders often involve deeply invasive brain operations or implants. A largely overlooked aspect of these conditions is the high comorbidity of GI-related disorders. Although the top-down relationship between the brain and peripheral organs has dominated the field, it’s now clear that the activity of peripheral organs, in particular GI innervation – the enteric nervous system (ENS) – not only influences brain activity but also paces and regulates it.

Background

Indeed, recent studies have shown the bidirectional relationship between gut homeostasis and neurological function in disorders such as epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.

Project Overview

EnterBio will adapt bioelectronic tools developed over the past decades for application in the CNS for sensing and stimulating the ENS, and thereby sensing and stimulating the CNS. The team comprises world-leading expertise in:

1. Organic and graphene bioelectronics
2. Drug delivery
3. In vitro/animal models of neurodegenerative disorders
4. Molecular/cellular physiology of the PNS

We propose to turn this expertise toward the ENS to develop a platform for elucidation, prediction, and control of CNS function.

Objectives

The objectives of the project are to:

• Develop bioelectronic sensors, stimulation electrodes, and drug delivery systems targeting the ENS and adapted for implantation in the gut.
• Elucidate ENS control of CNS using high-resolution sensing signals in vivo.
• Demonstrate control and eventual therapy for CNS disorders without highly invasive implants.

Innovation

EnterBio proposes to build on new, cutting-edge directions (organic/carbon-based bioelectronics and the gut-brain axis) to disrupt the field of CNS sensing/neuromodulation. The technology to utilize ENS activity as an entry point to brain (dys)function is currently lacking. “Entering the bio” through the gut will be exactly this disruptor.

Conclusion

EnterBio will achieve substantial improvements in relation to the barriers and obstacles of today’s sensing/neuromodulation technologies.