Graphene shown to safely interact with neurons in the brain

Researchers have shown that graphene can be used to make electrodes that can be implanted in the brain, which could potentially be used to restore sensory functions for amputee or paralysed patients, or for individuals with motor disorders such as Parkinson's disease. We are just at the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the potential of graphene and related materials in bio-applications and medicine. Andrea Ferrari Researchers have successfully demonstrated how it is possible to interface graphene - a two-dimensional form of carbon - with neurons, or nerve cells, while maintaining the integrity of these vital cells. The work may be used to build graphene-based electrodes that can safely be implanted in the brain, offering promise for the restoration of sensory functions for amputee or paralysed patients, or for individuals with motor disorders such as epilepsy or Parkinson's disease. The , published in the journal ACS Nano , was an interdisciplinary collaboration coordinated by the University of Trieste in Italy and the Cambridge Graphene Centre. Previously, other groups had shown that it is possible to use treated graphene to interact with neurons. However the signal to noise ratio from this interface was very low.