In research led by Jeffrey R. Capadona titled “Bacteria invade the brain following intracortical microelectrode implantation, inducing gut-brain axis disruption and contributing to reduced microelectrode performance”, scientists investigated how bacterial invasion into the brain following intracortical microelectrode implantation disrupts the gut-brain axis, contributing to decreased microelectrode performance. Utilizing NeuroNexus 16-channel single-shank silicon microelectrodes (A1x16-3mm-50-177-Z16) the team detected microbial DNA sequences, including gut-related bacteria, at implant sites in mouse brains. Antibiotics temporarily improved implant performance by changing the brain’s microbial environment but led to negative long-term effects. This highlights the importance of understanding microbial impacts on neural implants to develop targeted treatments.
