Work

The Application of an Ultra-Thin, High-Density μECoG Array in Dissecting Caffeine-Induced Cortical Dynamics in Mice

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: High-density micro-electrocorticography (μECoG) arrays offer precise spatial resolution with minimal invasiveness. This study employed a custom ultra-thin 64-channel μECoG array to investigate cortical activity in mice under chronic caffeine exposure. While caffeine is known to enhance short-term alertness, its long-term impact on sleep microarchitecture and brain connectivity is unclear. Continuous recordings from adult mice during baseline and recovery revealed that prolonged caffeine intake significantly reduced broadband power spectral density (PSD) and spindle power but increased interregional coherence and altered spindle duration and density. In contrast, six hours of sleep deprivation elevated PSD and coherence, mainly affecting sensorimotor and retrosplenial cortices. These findings validate the μECoG array's functionality and demonstrate that post-chronic caffeine withdrawal lowers cortical oscillatory power yet enhances network connectivity, whereas acute sleep loss boosts global synchrony. This work clarifies how sustained caffeine use and sleep deprivation distinctly disrupt sleep homeostasis through different neural mechanisms.

Source: Sensors

DOI: 10.3390/s25247552

Authors: Yongqi Hu, Bingjie Zhang, Zhengwei Hu, Xuemei Liu, Xiaojian Li, Ji Dai

Institutions: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science

Language: English

Topic: Neural dynamics and brain function

Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137