Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound stimulation (LIPUS) modulates microglial activation following intracortical microelectrode implantation

Abstract

Microglia are important players in surveillance and repair of the brain. Their activation mediates neuroinflammation caused by intracortical microelectrode implantation, which impedes the application of intracortical brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). While low-intensity pulsed ultrasound stimulation (LIPUS) can attenuate microglial activation, its potential to modulate the microglia-mediated neuroinflammation and enhance the bio-integration of microelectrodes remains insufficiently explored. We found that LIPUS increased microglia migration speed from 0.59±0.04 to 1.35±0.07 µm/hr on day 1 and enhanced microglia expansion area from 44.50±6.86 to 93.15±8.77 µm ² /min on day 7, indicating improved tissue healing and surveillance. Furthermore, LIPUS reduced microglial activation by 17% on day 6, vessel-associated microglia ratio from 70.67±6.15 to 40.43±3.87% on day 7, and vessel diameter by 20% on day 28. Additionally, microglial coverage of the microelectrode was reduced by 50% in week 1, indicating better tissue-microelectrode integration. These data reveal that LIPUS helps resolve neuroinflammation around chronic intracortical microelectrodes.