Closed‐Loop Decoding and Intervention of Pain: A Novel BMI Strategy Integrating <i>θ</i> ‐Band Detection and Mechano‐Electro‐Biological Coupled Hydrogels
Neuropathic pain (NP) lacks objective biomarkers and effective therapies. We developed a closed-loop brain-machine interface (BMI) using a novel hydrogel electrode for integrated NP management. Clinically, we identified enhanced prefrontal θ-band (4-8 Hz) activity as a specific NP biomarker. To achieve stable long-term recording, we engineered a PFAPT hydrogel with superior biocompatibility, anti-swelling, and low impedance. In rats, it enabled stable electrocorticography (ECoG) acquisition for 28 d, outperforming screw electrodes, and validated θ-band alterations in NP. Incorporated into a closed-loop BMI, the hydrogel delivered θ-triggered cortical stimulation, which increased pain thresholds and alleviated anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in NP rats. Spatial transcriptomics revealed that stimulation bidirectionally regulated inflammation, central sensitization, and affective pathways. This work presents a hydrogel-based closed-loop BMI as a precise diagnostic and therapeutic platform for NP.
Authors
- Jiayun Wu
- Weitang Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1740-5341)
- Huichun Luo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7833-1358)
- Xiang Guo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5006-4163)
- Tao Shi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-2503-2845)
- Ke Ma (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5603-9321)
- Wangao Zhang
- Xiaoyu Liao
- Yuxin Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7224-2533)
- Wenhui Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1837-9031)
- Chuanglong He (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8330-8542)
- S S Zhao
- Shuo Chen
- Tao Li
- Guoqiang Lei
- Jiao Xiang
- Tao Wu
- Yun Ji
Institutions
- Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (CN)
- University of Shanghai for Science and Technology (CN)
- Donghua University (CN)
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University (CN)
- Anhui Medical University (CN)
- Fudan University (CN)
- Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (CN)
- Kunming Medical University (CN)
- Renji Hospital (CN)
- XinHua Hospital (CN)
- Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital (CN)
- Suzhou Municipal Hospital (CN)
- Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences (CN)
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University (CN)
- Shanghai Children's Hospital (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Advanced Science
- Published
- 2026-06-26
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.76269
- Primary Topic
- Pain Mechanisms and Treatments
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China