Wireless device 'speaks' to the brain with light (news.northwestern.edu)

Northwestern University scientists have unveiled a groundbreaking wireless device that communicates with the brain using light, bypassing traditional sensory pathways. This soft, flexible device, which rests under the scalp and over the skull, employs micro-LEDs to deliver intricate patterns of light through bone to activate specific neurons in the brain. In tests with genetically modified mice, the device enabled them to interpret these light patterns as signals, allowing them to make decisions and complete tasks, signifying a major step forward in interfacing technology with the brain. This innovation holds immense potential for a variety of therapeutic applications, including enhancing sensory feedback for prosthetics, modulating pain without systemic drugs, and restoring lost senses following injury or disease. With up to 64 programmable micro-LEDs, the device can mimic natural brain activity through complex stimulation patterns, diverging from earlier technologies that used single probes. The findings, set to be published in *Nature Neuroscience*, not only promise transformative healthcare solutions but also advance our understanding of neural communication, paving the way for sophisticated bioelectronic devices that blend seamlessly with human physiology.