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IONTRONIC NEUROMODULATION ALONG THE GUT–BRAIN AXIS
Helena Saarela Unemoand 4 co-authors
Linköping University
FENS Forum 2026 (2026)
Barcelona, Spain
Board PS02-07PM-608
Presentation
Date TBA
Board: PS02-07PM-608
Event Information
Poster Board
PS02-07PM-608
Poster
View posterAbstract
Current treatments for neurological disorders often rely on invasive brain surgeries or implants. Increasing evidence highlights the bidirectional communication between the central and enteric nervous systems, known as the gut–brain axis, which may offer less invasive neuromodulation strategies for conditions such as epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Iontronics, a branch of organic bioelectronics, employs ions rather than electrons as charge carriers, directly reflecting the body’s natural mode of communication through ionic fluxes. Iontronic devices typically rely on polyelectrolyte membranes as ionic conductors. These materials contain fixed charges that enable selective transport of ions of one polarity while excluding those of the opposite charge, providing controlled ionic delivery to biological systems. In this project, we are developing iontronic neuromodulation tools to stimulate the central nervous system via gut sensory pathways. Initial in vitro studies demonstrate that glutamate-loaded iontronic micropipettes can achieve highly localized neuronal activation with single-cell resolution. Building on this capability, ongoing and planned in vivo work will explore targeted stimulation of peripheral sensory pathways to probe upstream signaling along the gut–brain axis.
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