Authors:
Sofie Lasure
1
;
2
;
Lien De Schaepmeester
2
;
Sielke Caestecker
2
;
Jeroen Spanoghe
2
;
Marijke Vergaelen
2
;
Rik Verplancke
1
;
Johannes Vierock
3
;
Robrecht Raedt
2
and
Pieter Bauwens
1
Affiliations:
1
Center for Microsystems Technology, Imec and Ghent University, Belgium
;
2
4BRAIN, Department of Head and Skin, Ghent University, Belgium
;
3
Neuroscience Research Center, Charité, Universitätsmedizin zu Berlin, Germany
Keyword(s):
Epilepsy, Responsive Neuromodulation, Optogenetics, MSP430 Microcontroller, Embedded System.
Abstract:
Aims: Responsive neuromodulation employing optogenetics is a promising therapy which provides spatial and temporal specificity for temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), a neurological disorder characterised by the occurrence of spontaneous seizures. In this study, we evaluated whether seizures could be detected with a self-designed minimalist embedded system and terminated through activation of the WiChR opsin in the intrahippocampal kainic acid (IHKA) mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy. Methods: Mice were injected in the hippocampus with kainic acid to simulate TLE and with the AAV2/9 viral vector to induce expression of the WiChR opsin. Intracranial EEG was recorded and processed with a low-power microcontroller to detect the seizure via the amplitude correlation metric. Upon detection, a 473 nm Light Emitting Diode (LED) was activated to illuminate the hippocampus through an optrode. Results: It was possible to responsively illuminate seizures with the embedded system and achieve a sig
nificant reduction in seizure duration with a pulse train of 10 Hz, 5 ms, 10 mW for 90 s. A brief parameter study was performed although preliminary results were inconclusive. Conclusions: In this study, we prove that we can responsively suppress seizures in the IHKA mouse model within the limitations of a minimalist embedded system. Additionally, the WiChR opsin has been demonstrated to have a high potential for efficient seizure suppression with limited illumination.
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