💉 An "Injectable Microchip" to Treat Brain Disorders Created at MIT

Deep brain stimulation is used to treat Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, depression, and multiple sclerosis. However, it requires risky brain surgery to implant electrodes.

Engineers at MIT have developed microscopic chips called Circulatronics. These can stimulate the brain from the inside without surgery. The cell-sized devices are delivered through an intravenous injection.

The team attached the chips to monocytes—immune cells that naturally cross the brain's protective blood-brain barrier. These living cells "cloak" the electronics from the immune system and carry the chips straight to areas of brain inflammation.

The chips don't need batteries. A pulse of near-infrared light shines through the skull, hits the chip, and powers it to activate nearby neurons.

🐀 The technology was tested in mice. Thousands of microelectrodes formed a network that precisely matched the shape of the inflamed brain region.

The devices didn't interfere with the surrounding tissue. Once activated, they stimulated neurons within a 30 μm radius—far more precise than traditional electrodes.

⏱ Human trials are expected to begin within the next three years.

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