Researchers at The University of Osaka have developed a groundbreaking, minimally invasive method for recording brain activity through blood vessels. This technique could potentially transform the diagnosis and treatment of neurological conditions like epilepsy and paving the way for advanced brain-computer interfaces. It eliminates the need for invasive open-brain surgery, offering a safer and more accessible way to monitor and stimulate brain function.
Current methods for directly measuring brain activity require invasive procedures, either removing part of the skull to place electrodes on the brain surface or inserting electrodes directly into brain tissue. While non-invasive methods like EEG exist, they lack the precision needed for detailed analysis. This new method bridges the gap, offering high-fidelity recordings without the risks associated with traditional invasive approaches.
The research team, led by Professor Takufumi Yanagisawa used a catheter to insert ultra-thin wire electrodes into the cortical and deep veins of pig brains. They successfully recorded brainwaves from these vessels with accuracy comparable to traditional methods. Notably, they were able to capture activity from deep brain regions previously difficult to access non-invasively. Stimulating electrodes in the motor cortex also successfully evoked muscle responses in the face and shoulders.
Dr. Takamitsu Iwata, lead researcher, mentions, "This less invasive approach promises improved diagnoses and treatments for epilepsy and other neurological disorders. It also unlocks new possibilities for understanding deep brain functions and developing next-generation brain-computer interfaces, potentially allowing individuals with severe paralysis to communicate and control devices."
Fig. 1
Catheterization of a superficial cortical vein with a wire-shaped microelectrode for intravascular EEG recording.
Credit: Takamitsu Iwata et al., 2025, Microendovascular Neural Recording from Cortical and Deep Vessels with High Precision and Minimal Invasiveness, Advanced Intelligent Systems
Fig. 2
Endovascular EEG and evoked responses from superficial and deep cerebral veins.
(A) A microcatheter is navigated into a small superficial cortical vein, and EEG is recorded using a wire-shaped intravascular microelectrode. (B) Resting-state EEG recorded intravascularly at the cortical surface. (C) Power spectral density of the resting-state EEG. (D) Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) recorded with the intravascular electrode placed in a cortical vein. (E) SEPs to left and right median-nerve stimulation; responses are larger when stimulating the median nerve contralateral to the electrode-implanted hemisphere. (F) Electrical stimulation of the cortical surface via the intravascular electrode elicited facial electromyographic responses; stimulation of the left motor cortex evoked EMG responses in the right face. (G) Intravascular electrode positioned in a deep cerebral vein. (H) Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) recorded with the intravascular electrode placed in a deep vein.
Credit: Takamitsu Iwata et al., 2025, Microendovascular Neural Recording from Cortical and Deep Vessels with High Precision and Minimal Invasiveness, Advanced Intelligent Systems
Note
The article, "Microendovascular Neural Recording from Cortical and Deep Vessels with High Precision and Minimal Invasiveness," was published in Advanced Intelligent Systems at DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/aisy.202500487
