Bacteria invasion threatens brain implant effectiveness, study finds

Researchers from Case Western Reserve University have found that bacteria can invade the brain after the implantation of medical devices, such as brain implants. This invasion can cause inflammation and reduce the effectiveness of these devices, which are used to help patients with conditions like paralysis and epilepsy. The study, published in Nature Communications, highlights the importance of understanding how bacteria affect brain health in relation to implanted devices. Jeff Capadona, a lead researcher, stated that this discovery could change how these devices are designed and maintained. The research indicates that a breach in the blood-brain barrier during implant surgery might let bacteria from the gut enter the brain. Lead author George Hoeferlin, a biomedical engineering student, noted that past research mainly focused on the immune response to implants. However, their findings suggest bacteria also play a role in inflammation around these devices. They tested antibiotic treatments in mouse models and found that it reduced bacterial presence and improved device performance, though long-term antibiotic use can have negative effects. The implications of these findings extend beyond the performance of brain implants. Some of the identified bacteria are linked to neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Capadona emphasized the need for strategies to prevent bacterial invasion instead of solely managing inflammation after it occurs. The research team plans to explore other types of brain implants and examine bacterial presence in human subjects as well. Bolu Ajiboye, another researcher, stated that these findings could lead to safer and more effective neural implant strategies for patients.