Advances in neuroprostheses: interfaces, materials, and applications

Neuroprostheses have become a pivotal technology for restoring sensory, motor, and cognitive functions, offering transformative therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders by bridging or bypassing damaged neural pathways through electronic systems. However, achieving long-term stability and high-fidelity interaction between biological and electronic systems remains a significant challenge due to the mismatch at the neural interface. This review examines the critical role of nanotechnology in building high performance neuroprostheses across six key classes: motor, visual, tactile, language, memory and olfactory. A system architecture of the neuroprostheses is proposed that highlights two critical interfaces, namely, “neural-electronic” and “environment-electronic” interfaces. We survey recent advances in materials and devices that shape better neural electrodes and novel sensors, and discuss the potential utilization of neuromorphic computing for efficient edge processing in neuroprostheses. This review aims to outline future trajectories toward high-throughput bidirectional interaction, biomimetic encoding, and adaptive closed-loop systems, aspiring to achieve seamless integration between electronic systems and biological neural circuitry.

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