Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a neuromodulation therapy for a broad and expanding set of neurologic conditions. However, the mechanism through which VNS influences central nervous system circuitry is not well described, limiting therapeutic optimization. . .

Closed-loop neuromodulation technology is a rapidly expanding category of therapeutics for a broad range of indications. Development of these innovative neurological devices requires high-throughput systems for closed-loop stimulation of model organisms, while monitoring physiological signals and complex, naturalistic behaviors. . .

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) suppresses inflammation and autoimmune diseases in preclinical and clinical studies. The underlying molecular, neurological, and anatomical mechanisms have been well characterized using acute electrophysiological stimulation of the vagus. . .

Oligodendrocyte loss in neurological disease leaves axons vulnerable to damage and degeneration, and activity-dependent myelination may represent an endogenous mechanism to improve remyelination following injury. Here we report that, while learning a forelimb reach task transiently suppresses oligodendrogenesis, it subsequently increases oligodendrocyte precursor cell differentiation . . .

Implanted microelectrode arrays sense local neuronal activity, signals which are used as control commands for brain computer interface (BCI) technology. Patients with tetraplegia have used BCI technology to achieve an extraordinary degree of interaction with their local environment. However . . .

Novel technology and stimulation paradigms allow for closed-loop implementation of neurostimulation systems with unprecedented spatiotemporal precision. In turn, precise, closed-loop neurostimulation appears to preferentially drive neural plasticity in motor networks, promoting neural repair. Recent clinical studies demonstrate that electrical stimulation . . .

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is emerging as a rapid, low-cost approach for point-of-care triage of hematomas resulting from traumatic brain injury. However, there remains a lack of standardized test methods for benchtop performance assessment of these devices and incomplete understanding of relevant light–tissue interactions. . .

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is emerging as a rapid, low-cost approach for point-of-care triage of hematomas resulting from traumatic brain injury. However, there remains a lack of standardized test methods for benchtop performance assessment of these devices and incomplete understanding of relevant light–tissue interactions. . .

As scientists and engineers, we must recognize the overwhelming evidence that we each harbor bias that influences our professional decisions. Yet, solving today’s increasingly complex public health challenges requires diverse perspectives from multidisciplinary teams. . .

Two papers in this issue of Neuron by Saleem et al. (2017) and Storchi et al. (2017) show that increases in background light intensity trigger proportional increases in narrowband gamma oscillations with a peak at 60 Hz in retina, lateral geniculate, and primary visual cortex of the mouse visual system. . .

We found that cortical SSEPs recorded by flexible epidermal sensors were stimulus frequency dependent. Immediately following controlled, focal ultrasound perturbation, the sensors detected significant SSEP modulation, which consisted of dynamic amplitude decreases and altered stimulus-frequency dependence. These modifications were also . . .

Following acute traumatic brain injury (TBI), timely transport to a hospital can significantly improve the prognosis for recovery. There is, however, a dearth of quantitative biomarkers for brain injury that can be rapidly acquired and interpreted in active, field environments in which TBIs are frequently incurred. We explored potential functional indicators for TBI that can. . .

In the US alone, there are approximately 185 000 cases of limb amputation annually, which can reduce the quality of life for those individuals. Current prosthesis technology could be improved by access to signals from the nervous system for intuitive prosthesis control. After amputation, residual peripheral nerves continue to convey motor signals and electrical stimulation of these nerves can elicit sensory percepts. However, current . . .

The vascular response during cortical microelectrode insertion was measured with amplitude decorrelation-based quantitative optical coherence angiography (OCA). Four different shank-style microelectrode configurations were inserted in murine motor cortex beneath a surgically implanted window in discrete steps while OCA images were collected and processed for angiography and flowmetry. Quantitative measurements included . . .

Rapid detection and diagnosis of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can significantly improve the prognosis for recovery. Helmet-mounted sensors that detect impact severity based on measurements of acceleration or pressure show promise for aiding triage and transport decisions in active . . .

The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) believes it is important to help stakeholders (eg, manufacturers, health-care professionals, patients, patient advocates, academia, and other government agencies . . .

For macroelectrodes, the potential for tissue damage is often assessed by comparing the intensity of stimulation, characterized by the charge density and charge per phase of a stimulus pulse, with a damage threshold identified through histological evidence from in vivo experiments as described by the Shannon equation. While the Shannon equation has proved useful in assessing the likely …

16 Gamma oscillations are a robust component of sensory responses but are also part of the 17 background spontaneous activity of the brain. To determine whether the properties of gamma 18 oscillations in cortex are specific to their mechanism of generation, we compared in mouse 19 visual cortex in vivo, the laminar geometry and single neuron rhythmicity of oscillations 20 produced during sensory representation with those . . .

We characterized image quality in optical coherence angiography (OCA) en face planes of mouse cortical capillary network in terms of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and Weber contrast (W_c) through a novel mask-based segmentation method. . .

A challenge for implementing high bandwidth cortical brain–machine interface devices in patients is the limited functional lifespan of implanted recording electrodes. Development of implant technology currently requires extensive non-clinical testing to demonstrate device performance. . .

Speckle variance optical coherence angiography (OCA) was used to characterize the vascular tissue response from craniotomy, window implantation, and electrode insertion in mouse motor cortex. We observed initial vasodilation ~40% greater than original diameter 2-3 days post-surgery (dps). After 4 weeks, dilation subsided in large vessels (>50 µm diameter) but persisted in smaller vessels (25-50 µm diameter). Neovascularization began 8-12 dps and vessel migration continued throughout the study. Vasodilation and . . .

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is charged with assuring the safety and effectiveness of medical devices. Before any medical device can be brought to market, it must comply with all federal regulations regarding FDA processes for clearance or approval. Navigating the FDA regulatory process may seem like a daunting task to the innovator of a novel medical device who has little experience with the FDA regulatory process or device commercialization. . . .