Graphene opens new way to detect brain damage after stroke

Scientists have created a graphene-based technology that can monitor brain activity and pinpoint areas most at risk of further harm following a stroke. Conducted on mice, the breakthrough could pave the way for more targeted stroke treatments. The research, published in the journal Brain, involved experts from Spain's National Research Council (CSIC), the University of Manchester, the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), and German firm Multi Channel Systems.

An ischaemic stroke occurs when a blood blockage impedes blood flow to a section of the brain. In the aftermath, additional damage can occur due to electrical waves called spreading cortical depolarisations that move across the affected tissue. Detecting these signals has been difficult, as standard technologies fail to record the slow electrical changes that happen during this process.

By employing high-sensitivity graphene sensors on the brains of mice, researchers were able to record these electrical waves with exceptional detail. The findings revealed that the signals enabled the differentiation between healthy brain tissue, tissue at risk, and tissue already severely damaged. The electrical patterns also offered clues about the blood-flow response in different brain regions.

In healthy areas, the response increased to aid recovery, but it could worsen in vulnerable regions. A low dose of ketamine, a commonly used medication, was found to shorten the duration of harmful electrical waves, enhance the blood-flow response, and lessen the scope of brain damage in animal models. This suggests a potential neuroprotective effect of ketamine after a stroke, though its efficacy in humans remains to be demonstrated.

The study underscores how advanced technologies can not only enhance brain activity measurement but also uncover new insights into brain lesion development and potential treatments.