Exploring axon conduction modulation rule dependent on axon structure

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K19884
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 90:Biomedical engineering and related fields
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Shimba Kenta 東京大学, 大学院新領域創成科学研究科, 准教授 (80792655)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-07-09 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 軸索 / 高密度電極アレイ / 神経細胞 / 電気刺激 / マイクロ加工

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To understand the new regulation law of axonal conduction, we established a method to evaluate the characteristics of axons by repetitive electrical stimulation and developed an axonal pharmacological stimulation device. As a result, we found that the conduction of axons is continuously changed by electrical stimulation, and that the conduction time oscillates with a specific frequency of stimulation. Furthermore, by forming microfluidic channels on high-density electrode arrays, we showed that selective pharmacological stimulation of axons and measurement of their responses are possible. These methods may serve as a fundamental technology to explore the function of axons.

Free Research Field

神経工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の成果により，神経細胞が持つ軸索の機能を詳細に評価するための基盤技術が完成した．これらの技術により研究を進めることで，神経細胞の集団から構成される脳の機能がどのように発現するかの機序解明につながる．脳や神経細胞が持つ機能を明らかにすることは，より高機能かつ低エネルギーで動作するAIの開発や，神経機能が低下する疾患の発症機序解明・新たな治療薬の開発といった面から社会に対して貢献し得る．