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Clinical Research and Public HealthIn-Press PreviewNeuroscienceOphthalmology Free access | 10.1172/JCI151331

Visual percepts evoked with an Intracortical 96-channel microelectrode array inserted in human occipital cortex

Eduardo Fernández,1 Arantxa Alfaro,2 Cristina Soto-Sánchez,1 Pablo González-López,3 Antonio M. Lozano Ortega,1 Sebastian Peña,1 María Dolores Grima,1 Alfonso Rodil,1 Bernardeta Gómez,1 Xing Chen,4 Pieter R. Roelfsema,4 John D. Rolston,5 Tyler S. Davis,5 and Richard A. Normann6

1Bioengineering Institute, University Miguel Hernandez, Elche, Spain

2Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Vega Baja, Elche, Spain

3Servicio de Neurología, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Alicante, Spain

4Department of Vision & Cognition, Netherland Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands

5Department of Neurosurgery and Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States of America

6John Moran Eye Center and Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States of America

Find articles by Fernández, E. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar

1Bioengineering Institute, University Miguel Hernandez, Elche, Spain

2Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Vega Baja, Elche, Spain

3Servicio de Neurología, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Alicante, Spain

4Department of Vision & Cognition, Netherland Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands

5Department of Neurosurgery and Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States of America

6John Moran Eye Center and Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States of America

Find articles by Alfaro, A. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar

1Bioengineering Institute, University Miguel Hernandez, Elche, Spain

2Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Vega Baja, Elche, Spain

3Servicio de Neurología, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Alicante, Spain

4Department of Vision & Cognition, Netherland Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands

5Department of Neurosurgery and Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States of America

6John Moran Eye Center and Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States of America

Find articles by Soto-Sánchez, C. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar |

1Bioengineering Institute, University Miguel Hernandez, Elche, Spain

2Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Vega Baja, Elche, Spain

3Servicio de Neurología, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Alicante, Spain

4Department of Vision & Cognition, Netherland Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands

5Department of Neurosurgery and Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States of America

6John Moran Eye Center and Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States of America

Find articles by González-López, P. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar |

1Bioengineering Institute, University Miguel Hernandez, Elche, Spain

2Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Vega Baja, Elche, Spain

3Servicio de Neurología, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Alicante, Spain

4Department of Vision & Cognition, Netherland Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands

5Department of Neurosurgery and Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States of America

6John Moran Eye Center and Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States of America

Find articles by Lozano Ortega, A. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar |

1Bioengineering Institute, University Miguel Hernandez, Elche, Spain

2Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Vega Baja, Elche, Spain

3Servicio de Neurología, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Alicante, Spain

4Department of Vision & Cognition, Netherland Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands

5Department of Neurosurgery and Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States of America

6John Moran Eye Center and Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States of America

Find articles by Peña, S. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar

1Bioengineering Institute, University Miguel Hernandez, Elche, Spain

2Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Vega Baja, Elche, Spain

3Servicio de Neurología, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Alicante, Spain

4Department of Vision & Cognition, Netherland Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands

5Department of Neurosurgery and Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States of America

6John Moran Eye Center and Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States of America

Find articles by Grima, M. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar |

1Bioengineering Institute, University Miguel Hernandez, Elche, Spain

2Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Vega Baja, Elche, Spain

3Servicio de Neurología, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Alicante, Spain

4Department of Vision & Cognition, Netherland Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands

5Department of Neurosurgery and Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States of America

6John Moran Eye Center and Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States of America

Find articles by Rodil, A. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar

1Bioengineering Institute, University Miguel Hernandez, Elche, Spain

2Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Vega Baja, Elche, Spain

3Servicio de Neurología, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Alicante, Spain

4Department of Vision & Cognition, Netherland Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands

5Department of Neurosurgery and Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States of America

6John Moran Eye Center and Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States of America

Find articles by Gómez, B. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar

1Bioengineering Institute, University Miguel Hernandez, Elche, Spain

2Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Vega Baja, Elche, Spain

3Servicio de Neurología, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Alicante, Spain

4Department of Vision & Cognition, Netherland Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands

5Department of Neurosurgery and Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States of America

6John Moran Eye Center and Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States of America

Find articles by Chen, X. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar |

1Bioengineering Institute, University Miguel Hernandez, Elche, Spain

2Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Vega Baja, Elche, Spain

3Servicio de Neurología, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Alicante, Spain

4Department of Vision & Cognition, Netherland Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands

5Department of Neurosurgery and Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States of America

6John Moran Eye Center and Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States of America

Find articles by Roelfsema, P. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar |

1Bioengineering Institute, University Miguel Hernandez, Elche, Spain

2Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Vega Baja, Elche, Spain

3Servicio de Neurología, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Alicante, Spain

4Department of Vision & Cognition, Netherland Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands

5Department of Neurosurgery and Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States of America

6John Moran Eye Center and Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States of America

Find articles by Rolston, J. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar |

1Bioengineering Institute, University Miguel Hernandez, Elche, Spain

2Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Vega Baja, Elche, Spain

3Servicio de Neurología, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Alicante, Spain

4Department of Vision & Cognition, Netherland Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands

5Department of Neurosurgery and Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States of America

6John Moran Eye Center and Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States of America

Find articles by Davis, T. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar |

1Bioengineering Institute, University Miguel Hernandez, Elche, Spain

2Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Vega Baja, Elche, Spain

3Servicio de Neurología, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Alicante, Spain

4Department of Vision & Cognition, Netherland Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands

5Department of Neurosurgery and Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States of America

6John Moran Eye Center and Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States of America

Find articles by Normann, R. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar

Published October 19, 2021 - More info

J Clin Invest. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI151331.
Copyright © 2021, American Society for Clinical Investigation
Published October 19, 2021 - Version history
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Abstract

BACKGROUND. A long-held dream of scientists is to transfer information directly to the visual cortex of blind individuals, thereby restoring a rudimentary form of sight. However, no clinically available cortical visual prosthesis yet exists.

METHODS.We implanted an intracortical microelectrode array consisting of 96 electrodes in the visual cortex of a 57-year-old person with complete blindness for a six- month period. We measured thresholds and the characteristics of the visual percepts elicited by intracortical microstimulation.

RESULTS. Implantation and subsequent explantation of intracortical microelectrodes were carried out without complications. The mean stimulation threshold for single electrodes was 66.8 ± 36.5 μA. We consistently obtained high-quality recordings from visually deprived neurons and the stimulation parameters remained stable over time. Simultaneous stimulation via multiple electrodes were associated with a significant reduction in thresholds (p<0.001, ANOVA test) and evoked discriminable phosphene percepts, allowing the blind participant to identify some letters and recognize object boundaries. Furthermore, we observed a learning process that helped the subject to recognize complex patterns over time.

CONCLUSIONS. Our results demonstrate the safety and efficacy of chronic intracortical microstimulation via a large number of electrodes in human visual cortex, showing its high potential for restoring functional vision in the blind.

TRIAL REGISTRATION. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02983370.

FUNDING. Funding was provided by grant RTI2018-098969-B-100 from the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia Innovación y Universidades, by grant PROMETEO/2019/119 from the Generalitat Valenciana (Spain), by the Bidons Egara Research Chair of the University Miguel Hernández (Spain) and by the John Moran Eye Center of the University of Utah (US).

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Version history
  • Version 1 (October 19, 2021): In-Press Preview
  • Version 2 (December 1, 2021): Electronic publication
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