Umbrella-type stretchable electrode arrays for long-term neural recording

Flexible implantable neural electrodes have been studied extensively due to their chronic single-unit recording capability over weeks or months. However, high-density stable recording of the same neuronal ensembles over years-long periods remains challenging. Here we address this challenge by developing umbrella-type stretchable electrode arrays, which are anchored to surrounding brain tissue, forming a seamless neuroelectronic interface. We show that the umbrella-type stretchable electrode arrays create a neuroelectronic interface with reduced probe drift and gliosis that can stably track the same neuronal ensembles in head-fixed mice over 80 weeks (approximately 1.5 years). We also demonstrate that orientation-selective neuronal populations in the mouse primary visual cortex can be consistently recorded over 20 weeks. The umbrella-type stretchable electrode arrays with long-term recording capabilities hold significant promise for both fundamental neuroscience research and clinical brain-machine interface systems. Stable recording of high-density neuronal ensembles at single-unit resolution over years-long timescales is challenging. Here, the authors develop umbrella-type stretchable electrode arrays anchored to surrounding brain tissue, forming a neuroelectronic interface that tracks the same neuronal ensembles in head-fixed mice over 1.5 years.