2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report
Validity and safety assessment of optical nerve stimulation using photoswitchable molecules
Project/Area Number |
19K20734
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Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
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Allocation Type | Multi-year Fund |
Review Section |
Basic Section 90140:Medical technology assessment-related
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Research Institution | Teikyo University |
Principal Investigator |
Nomura Shuhei 帝京大学, 公私立大学の部局等, 講師 (00825432)
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Project Period (FY) |
2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
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Keywords | 人工視覚 / 人工感覚器 / 神経刺激 / Neural stimulation / Photopharmacology / Photoswitch / Brain-machine Interface / Neuromodulation |
Outline of Final Research Achievements |
Neural stimulation for restoring lost sensory functions have been studied with great interest. "Photoswitch" is a promising technology for achieving high-density neural stimulation by making neurons light-responsive using photoactive molecules. To make this technology practical, its usefulness needs to be verified in detail. In this study, to verify the efficacy and safety of the photoswitch, we developed (1) a process that enables the stable synthesis of photoactive molecules and (2) an in vitro evaluation system that enables the simultaneous stimulation and recording of light-responsive cell activity.
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Free Research Field |
生体医工学
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Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements |
電気的神経刺激法は人工内耳や人工網膜として既に実用化されている。しかし、刺激電極の微細化における物理化学的な限界により、安全に高密度の神経刺激を行うことは原理的に困難である。それに対し、photoswitchは細胞1つ1つに光応答性を付与し、時空間的な制御が容易な光刺激で細胞興奮を誘発するため、理想的な高密度の神経刺激が期待できる。本研究で確立した基盤技術によりphotoswitchの有用性の検証が可能となった。高密度神経刺激法の実現は、感覚機能の喪失によって日常生活が困難となった患者の飛躍的なQOL向上につながる。
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