A diamond-based electrode for detection of neurochemicals in the human brain

Deep brain stimulation (dbs),a surgical technique to treat certain neurologic and psychiatric conditions,relies on pre-determined stimulation parameters in an open-loop configuration. the major advancement in dbs devices is a closed-loop system that uses neurophysiologic feedback to dynamically adjust stimulation frequency and amplitude. stimulation-driven neurochemical release can be measured by fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (fscv),but existing fscv electrodes rely on carbon fiber,which degrades quickly during use and is therefore unsuitable for chronic neurochemical recording. to address this issue,we developed durable,synthetic boron-doped diamond-based electrodes capable of measuring neurochemical release in humans. compared to carbon fiber electrodes,they were more than two orders-of-magnitude more physically-robust and demonstrated longevity in vitro without deterioration. applied for the first time in humans,diamond electrode recordings from thalamic targets in patients (n = 4) undergoing dbs for tremor produced signals consistent with adenosine release at a sensitivity comparable to carbon fiber electrodes. (clinical trials # nct01705301). © 2016 bennet,tomshine,min,manciu,marsh,paek,settell,nicolai,blaha,kouzani,chang and lee.