03/10/2025
Newly developed 'NeuroWorm' a breakthrough for neural monitoring
Chinese scientists have devised "NeuroWorm", an intelligent microfiber capable of navigating freely inside the body, demonstrated through lab tests on mice, providing insights for brain-machine interfaces and neural regulation in treating certain chronic diseases.
Tests showed that the microfiber, which is about 200 micrometers in width and as thin as two strands of human hair, can monitor neural electrical signals and minute tissue deformations across large areas of the body or brain while moving, unlike similar materials from other studies, which remain fixed in one location.
Such advancement could redefine treatments using brain-machine interfaces or neurological disease therapies, the researchers said.
"Unlike traditional Parkinson's disease treatments that require implanting multiple electrodes in different brain regions, the 'Neuro-Worm' is implanted once and can navigate various affected areas, monitoring neural electrical signals and even alleviating symptoms through electrical stimulation," said Yan Wei, a lead scientist on the team and researcher from the College of Materials Science and Engineering at Donghua University in Shanghai.
"For disabled patients who need brain-machine interfaces to help move restricted body parts, this technology is equally beneficial. With a single implantation of this fiber, it can monitor neural electrical signals across a wide range of the body."