Elucidation of Neuronal Circuit Mechanisms Using Ultra-Small, High-Resolution Multi-Ion Sensor

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K21510
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 48:Biomedical structure and function and related fields
• Research Institution: National Institute for Physiological Sciences
• Principal Investigator: Horiuchi Hiroshi 生理学研究所, 基盤神経科学研究領域, 特別訪問研究員 (60760733)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 澤田 和明 豊橋技術科学大学, 工学(系)研究科(研究院), 教授 (40235461)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-07-30 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: イオン / pH / 細胞外 / イメージング / CMOS

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we aimed to develop a multi-ion image sensor that simultaneously captures multiple types of extracellular cation dynamics in the living brain and to apply it to biological applications. We succeeded in developing a multi-ion sensor by depositing ionophores on the sensor surface in a band of two pixel widths. In addition, a precise deposition of 20um, which corresponds to the level of one pixel, was achieved by laser processing. In other words, the initial goal of detecting multiple ions at the pixel level was achieved. In the future, it will be necessary to further improve the specificity and sensitivity of detection of each ion. pH sensor was applied to animal models of pathological conditions and succeeded in capturing the dynamic pH changes associated with the development of pathological conditions. In the future, we will also clarify the relationship between ionic changes and pathological manifestations.

Free Research Field

神経生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

細胞外の化学的環境は脳の機能や病気と密接に関わることが知られているが、これまで電極を脳に刺し込む方法に限られ、脳のある一点の一種類のイオンの濃度変化しかわからなかった。本研究成果によって、様々なイオンの様子を動画として脳内の観察することができるようになった。今後、神経疾患のモデル動物を用いることで細胞外の視点からこれまでわかっていなかった新しい病態メカニズムの発見が期待される。