3D printed transparent skull for real-time monitoring of brain activity

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a 3D-printed transparent skull model for mice as a way to visualize real-time activity on the surface of the brain. The device, called See-Shell, could help provide new insights into human brain disorders such as confusion, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

«What we are trying to do is see if we can track and interact with large parts of the animal’s brain surface over long periods of time. This will give us new insights into how the brain works,» said Suhasa Kodandaramaiah, co-author of the study.

3D printed transparent skull for real-time monitoring of brain activity

Traditionally, most scientists have focused on small regions of the brain and tried to understand it in detail. However, researchers are now discovering that what happens in one part of the brain affects other parts of the brain at the same time.

To make this skull, the researchers digitally scanned the surface of the mouse skull and then used the digital scans to create an artificial skull that had the same contours as the original skull. During a precise surgery, the upper part of the skull is replaced with the transparent 3D printed device.

For the first time, the technology allows researchers to observe global changes with unprecedented temporal resolution.

“This new device allows us to observe brain activity at the smallest level with specific zooms on neurons, obtaining an overview of a large part of the brain’s surface,” Kodandaramaiah said. “Developing the device and proving that it works is just the beginning of what we can do to advance research,” he continues.

A video released by the University shows an accelerated scan of a mouse’s brain seen through See-Shell.

“This technology allows us to see most of the cortex in action with precision and control, while simultaneously stimulating certain parts of the brain,” says Benjamin Mayhugh, a professor in the College of Science and Engineering.

An important advantage in using this device is the fact that the mouse’s body did not reject the implant, which means that scientists can study the same brain for a long period of time.

Conclusion

The development of the See-Shell, a 3D-printed transparent skull model for mice by researchers at the University of Minnesota, represents a highly sophisticated advancement in neuroscience research and a testament to the versatility of additive manufacturing in biomedical applications. The device’s primary value lies in its unique ability to allow for the real-time visualization of activity across the entire surface of the animal’s brain over extended periods. This is a critical technological leap because traditional imaging methods often provide only static snapshots or limited focal views, whereas the See-Shell enables sustained, dynamic observation crucial for understanding long-term neurological processes.

By allowing scientists to track and interact with large cortical areas, the See-Shell facilitates a more holistic understanding of how different regions of the brain communicate and coordinate activity. This capability is poised to generate new, unprecedented insights into the mechanisms and progression of complex human brain disorders such as confusion, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease. The ability to observe these diseases’ effects on the neural circuitry in vivo and over time is essential for identifying biomarkers and evaluating the efficacy of potential therapeutic interventions. Ultimately, the 3D-printed, transparent model serves as a vital, persistent window into the living brain, accelerating the translational research needed to develop future treatments for devastating neurological conditions.