Real-Time In-Vivo Control of Neural Membrane Potential by Electro-Ionic Modulation

Theoretically, by controlling neural membrane potential (Vm) in-vivo; motion, sensation, and behavior can be controlled. Until now, there was no available technique that can increase or decrease ion concentration in-vivo in real-time to change neural membrane potential. We introduce a novel method, which we coin as electro-ionic modulation (EIM), where ionic concentration around a nerve can be controlled in real-time and in-vivo. We used an interface to regulate the Ca2+ ion concentration around the sciatic nerve of a frog, thus achieved stimulation and blocking with higher resolution and lower current compared to electrical stimulation. Since EIM achieves higher controllability of Vm, it has potential to replace conventional methods used for treatment of neurological disorders and may bring a new perspective to neuromodulation techniques.