Application of Organic Light-Emitting Diodes and Photodiodes in Optical Control and Detection of Neuronal Activity

Optical techniques to study neuronal activity have greatly advanced the field of neuroscience over recent decades. Multichannel silicon-based recording probes combined with optical fibers allow for simultaneous recording and manipulation of neuronal activity that underpins cognitive processes and behavior. The recent development of neural probes incorporating organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and photodiode-based organic photodetectors (OPDs) offer additional advantages of biocompatibility, ultra-small footprint, multifunctionality, and low cost. These developments are ushering in a new generation of devices that are ideal for the interrogation of neuronal activity in vitro and in vivo. In this review, we discuss recent progress in OLED- and OPD-based neural probes, their applications in the optical control of neuronal function, and current challenges and prospects for the future.