Scientists Develop Hair-Thin Fiber That Performs Three Functions Inside the Brain

A research innovation that combines three functions within a single brain implant has come to the fore after scientists developed a thin, hair-sized polymeric fiber capable of performing multiple tasks at once.

The fiber can record neural activity in the brain, stimulate neurons using light, and deliver substances or drugs to specific locations within brain tissue, the researchers behind the development explained.

Integrate multiple functions into one tool

Combining these three functions into a single implant represents a remarkable development in the field of neural interfaces, as previous research typically relies on separate tools for each individual task, increasing the complexity and risks associated with inserting more than one implant into sensitive brain tissue.

This innovation comes in the context of ongoing scientific efforts to develop more precise and less invasive brain implants, with the aim of serving potential research and medical applications related to understanding neural activity and treating some neurological disorders in the future.