Modulation, repair, or biocompatibility of implanted devices, in the nervous system: Volume II

This Research Topic is a second volume to the collection Biocompatibility of Implanted Devices, Modulation, and Repair in the Nervous System.

Implanted devices in the nervous system continue to transform neuroscience and neuroengineering, serving as critical bridges for restoring, modulating, or repairing neural function. The last decade has seen remarkable evolution from conventional electrode arrays to sophisticated, bio-integrative interfaces, and the translation of fundamental material science into practical devices. Despite these advances, the nervous system’s complexity presents persistent challenges, particularly in achieving long-term biocompatibility, maintaining signal fidelity, and minimizing immune reactions. Recent studies have provided fresh insights into tissue-device integration, such as the neurotrophic electrode’s support of neural in-growth and sustained recording stability, the significant effects of implant geometry on tissue health in retinal devices, and the recognition that factors like electrode depth and biological age influence outcomes differently than previously thought. However, gaps remain in fully understanding chronic immune responses, optimizing device robustness for diverse patient populations, and scaling laboratory success into routine clinical translation.

This Research Topic aims to highlight and drive forward the next wave of innovation in neural implants by focusing on cutting-edge methods for modulating neural activity, novel approaches to repair and regeneration, and advanced strategies for enhancing the long-term biocompatibility and stability of implanted devices. We encourage original research contributions and comprehensive reviews that pair technological breakthroughs, including new stimulation modalities, material advances, or interface designs, with rigorous evaluation of their physiological and clinical impact. Key goals include identifying mechanisms underlying improved device-tissue synergy, refining methods to measure foreign body and inflammatory responses, and presenting creative solutions that anticipate future clinical applications. Contributions that examine translation from model systems to humans, or that integrate interdisciplinary methods, are especially welcome.

This Research Topic is dedicated to advancing modulation, repair, and biocompatibility for devices implanted in the nervous system, while focusing on innovation in interface design, biological integration, and long-term function. Studies outside the nervous system or lacking a biological impact assessment will not be considered. To gather further insights in this field, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Emerging neuromodulation methods such as ultrasound, optogenetics, and novel stimulation protocols
- Breakthroughs in neural repair and regenerative interfaces, including biomaterials and cell-based strategies
- Material and surface engineering to reduce foreign body response and enhance electrode longevity
- Immune response profiling and modulation at the tissue-device interface
- Strategies for device performance in aging or otherwise vulnerable nervous system contexts
- Translation of benchside advances to clinical neuroprosthetics and rehabilitation
- Multi-scale analysis, including molecular, cellular, and systems approaches, of tissue-device interactions

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Neural implants, Biocompatibility, Neuromodulation, Tissue–device integration, Immune response

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.