Graphene sensors reveal brain tissue at risk during stroke
A graphene-based brain sensor could help doctors watch the hidden damage unfolding during a stroke in real time, offering new hope of preventing devastating brain injuries before they become irreversible.
Graphene-based brain sensors have the potential to monitor stroke damage in real-time, according to a study led by researchers from The University of Manchester, the Institute of Microelectronics of Barcelona, and ICN2. These sensors detected cortical spreading depolarizations, abnormal electrical activity that spreads through injured brain tissue, which were previously difficult to observe accurately.
The graphene sensors provided detailed information on the electrical signatures of brain tissue, distinguishing between healthy, vulnerable, and severely damaged areas. Moreover, the sensors revealed how blood vessels responded to these electrical waves, with healthier blood flow and more vulnerable areas experiencing reduced flow.
In a mouse study, low-dose ketamine helped reduce the duration and severity of these electrical events, improve blood flow, and decrease overall brain injury. The researchers believe that graphene-based brain monitoring could one day provide doctors with real-time maps of brain vulnerability during stroke, enabling targeted treatments and improved recovery outcomes.
Written by urgent.news from Medical Xpress's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
