Examination of brain’s electrical signals may be key to treating epilepsy, schizophrenia

Researchers at Aston University in England have received funding to explore new methods of recording electrical signals emitted from brain cells, which could lead to potential treatment for conditions like epilepsy and schizophrenia.

Stuart Greenhill, BSc, PhD, MEd, a senior lecturer in neuroscience and associate dean of portfolio and planning in the College of Health and Life Sciences at Aston University, and colleagues were awarded £100,000 by the Royal Society, the independent scientific academy of the United Kingdom, to conduct the 2-year project called Nanomaterial Webs for Revolutionary Brain Recording.

“The research project will use newly developed nanomaterials to keep samples of brain healthy and active for far longer than current technology allows, whilst recording the activity of the tissue,” Greenhill said in a university press release. “This allows more understanding of what generates epileptic seizures and opens up new avenues for drug development, meaning fewer surgeries may be needed in the future.”

He added, “Eventually, the technology may lead to new and better ways of recording from patients’ brains before surgery.”