Graphene nanoedge electronics for monolithic and chronic recording of local microcircuits at neuronal density

Abstract

High-density single-unit recording among closely spaced neurons over long durations is crucial for understanding the cellular-level functional architecture of the brain. Existing brain probes, however, either laterally sample neurons far more sparsely than neuronal density in the same cortical layer or suffer from long-term instability due to electrode modification, preventing precise neuron-to-neuron interrogation in local microcircuits. Here, we report a monolithic graphene-edge probe (NeuroEdge) that achieves single-unit recording at neuronal density (16 electrodes within 100 {micro}m diameter). We fabricate NeuroEdge using self-assembled reduced graphene oxide nanoflakes to form an electrochemically active tip consisting of exposed graphene nanoedges and electrolyte-filling nanotunnels, achieving an ultralow specific impedance of 20 M{Omega} {micro}m2. In vivo experiments over 5 months demonstrate recording at a high signal-to-noise ratio (>20 dB) and reliable interrogation of neighboring neurons. We also show that NeuroEdge can record from a single auditory cortical layer and reveal heterogeneities in the acoustic frequency response and dynamic connectivity among neighboring neurons. NeuroEdge provides a tool for precisely interrogating local microcircuits at the density of neurons in the brain.