METHODS AND ASSOCIATED NEURAL PROSTHETIC DEVICES FOR BRIDGING BRAIN AREAS TO IMPROVE FUNCTION

摘要

Methods for bridging brain sites between which there is substantially no effective communication, and associated neural prosthetic devices, are provided herein. A neural spike in a first neural site in a subject is detected, and a stimulus to a second neural site in the subject is delivered within a defined period of time after the detection of the neural spike, wherein there is substantially no effective communication between the first and second neural sites. The method forms an artificial bridge between the two neural sites, and establishes lasting communication between the two sites. Although any neural prosthetic device capable of detecting a spike in a first site and delivering a stimulus in a second site may be used, the present disclosure further provides a neural prosthetic device comprising an integrated circuit that comprises a recording front-end comprising a plurality of recording channels; a processor unit; and a stimulus delivering back-end comprising a plurality of stimulation channels.