Supramolecular Peptide Hydrogel-Based Soft Neural Interface Augments Brain Signals through a Three-Dimensional Electrical Network

Recording
neural activity from the living brain is of great interest
in neuroscience for interpreting cognitive processing or neurological
disorders. Despite recent advances in neural technologies, development
of a soft neural interface that integrates with neural tissues, increases
recording sensitivity, and prevents signal dissipation still remains
a major challenge. Here, we introduce a biocompatible, conductive,
and biostable neural interface, a supramolecular β-peptide-based
hydrogel that allows signal amplification via tight neural/hydrogel
contact without neuroinflammation. The non-biodegradable β-peptide
forms a multihierarchical structure with conductive nanomaterial,
creating a three-dimensional electrical network, which can augment
brain signal efficiently. By achieving seamless integration in brain
tissue with increased contact area and tight neural tissue coupling,
the epidural and intracortical neural signals recorded with the hydrogel
were augmented, especially in the high frequency range. Overall, our
tissuelike chronic neural interface will facilitate a deeper understanding
of brain oscillation in broad brain states and further lead to more
efficient brain–computer interfaces.