title: Nanocomposite polymeric electrolytes to record electrophysiological brain signals in prolonged, unconventional or extreme conditions.
abstract: Chemically stable nanocomposite iono-conducting polymeric membranes (based on lithium salts and nanocrystalline oxide powders dispersed in a polymethyl methacrylate matrix) performed successfully in the recording of human brain responses to visual stimulation. Impedance was higher than that of conventional electrodes. However, the electrophysiological signals recorded by acid Al(2)O(3) and neutral Al(2)O(3) 5 wt.% and 10 wt.% nanocomposite gel electrolytes were comparable to those obtained with standard electrodes, even without preliminary skin cleaning and in the absence of gel electrolytes allowing better contact with and skin-electrode ionic conductance. The electrochemical and mechanical characteristics of these membranes make them fit for human and animal research, for clinical application (specifically in emergencies, prolonged electrophysiological recordings), or in unconventional or extreme conditions when fluid electrolytes are unsuitable (e.g., biomedical space research).
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Science and Technology, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy. licoccia@uniroma2.it
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Licoccia
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Luisa Di Vona
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Romagnoli
authors.forename: Livio
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Narici
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Acquaviva
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Carozzo
authors.forename: Stefano Di
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Marco
authors.forename: Moreno
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saturno
authors.forename: Walter G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Sannita
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Traversa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D004566:Electrodes; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods*; D004573:Electrolytes; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D036103:Nanotechnology; D011108:Polymers; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004573:Electrolytes; D005782:Gels; D011108:Polymers; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate