Customizing MRI-Compatible Multifunctional Neural Interfaces through Fiber Drawing.

Fiber drawing enables scalable fabrication of multifunctional flexible fibers that integrate electrical, optical and microfluidic modalities to record and modulate neural activity. Constraints on thermomechanical properties of materials, however, have prevented integrated drawing of metal electrodes with low-loss polymer waveguides for concurrent electrical recording and optical neuromodulation. Here we introduce two fabrication approaches: (1) an iterative thermal drawing with a soft, low melting temperature (T) metal indium, and (2) a metal convergence drawing with traditionally non-drawable high T metal tungsten.

Young adult born neurons enhance hippocampal dependent performance via influences on bilateral networks.

Adult neurogenesis supports performance in many hippocampal dependent tasks. Considering the small number of adult-born neurons generated at any given time, it is surprising that this sparse population of cells can substantially influence behavior. Recent studies have demonstrated that heightened excitability and plasticity may be critical for the contribution of young adult-born cells for certain tasks.

Manganese displacement from Zinpyr-1 allows zinc detection by fluorescence microscopy and magnetic resonance imaging.

A paramagnetic manganese complex of a fluorescein-based probe affords a dual-modality zinc sensor featuring an improved fluorescence dynamic range and an MRI readout.