Indigenous Deep Brain Recording and Stimulation Electrodes

Sub-Project 3

Development of indigenous deep brain recording and stimulation electrodes for cognitive rehabilitation

OVERVIEW

This project aims to develop affordable, indigenous deep-brain recording and stimulation technologies alongside a translational platform for cognitive rehabilitation. The program combines the development of clinically scalable MER and sEEG electrodes with behavioral neuroscience, neural recordings, and decoding algorithms in nonhuman primates performing naturalistic decision-making tasks. By studying how brain circuits such as the anterior cingulate cortex support learning and adaptive behavior, the project seeks to develop next-generation closed-loop neuromodulation strategies for cognitive recovery after stroke and neurological disorders, while simultaneously strengthening India’s domestic neurotechnology ecosystem.

WHY EPILEPSY PATIENTS?

Epilepsy patients undergoing pre-surgical monitoring provide a rare and invaluable window into the live human brain at millisecond and millimeter resolution. These individuals have electrodes implanted in cortical and subcortical areas for clinical purposes; with their consent, we conduct cognitive experiments during their monitoring period. Their brain activity during tasks provides direct insights into the neural computations that co-processors need to replicate.

RESEARCH GOALS

Develop Indigenous MER and sEEG Systems

Design, validate, and clinically translate affordable deep-brain recording and stimulation electrodes tailored for the Indian neurosurgical ecosystem.

Establish a Scalable Neurodevice Manufacturing Pipeline

Build a sustainable domestic ecosystem for high-quality neural implants, reducing dependence on costly imported neurotechnology.

Develop Translational Models of Cognitive Dysfunction

Use ecologically valid decision-making paradigms in nonhuman primates to study neural mechanisms underlying learning, cognitive flexibility.

Enable Adaptive Closed-Loop Neuromodulation

Combine neural decoding with targeted brain stimulation to develop cognitive rehabilitation strategies for stroke and neurological disorders.

CURRENT STATUS

MER prototypes fabricated and tested with successful preliminary rodent electrode recordings.
Manufacturing workflows and regulatory documentation are in place and being refined toward GMP standards.
Indigenous sEEG connector systems have been reverse-engineered and replicated in-house.
Dynamic foraging behavioral assays have been validated in over 1000 human participants.
NHP facility, approvals, and animal training pipeline are operational at IIT Kanpur.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Rodent electrophysiology and neural stimulation setup for in-vivo device validation
CCSEA-approved nonhuman primate facility with behavioral training and neural recording capabilities
Prototype fabrication and testing pipeline for MER and sEEG devices through Eywa Neuro and collaborators
Validated behavioral and computational neuroscience platform for dynamic foraging and neural decoding studies
Clinical and translational partnerships with Jaslok (Mumbai) and Deenanath Mangeshkar (Pune) hospitals for surgical testing and future deployment