Neuromodulation in the Prelimbic Cortex of Sleep-Deprived Rats via a Bidirectional Microelectrode Array Modified with PtNPs/Sorbitol-Doped PEDOT:PSS

Sleep deprivation poses significant risks to cognitive and emotional health, contributing to impairments in decision-making, memory, and stress regulation. Currently, research on the neural mechanisms of sleep–wake regulation in the brain still requires further in-depth investigation. The prelimbic cortex (PrL), a subregion of the medial prefrontal cortex, is implicated in the sleep–wake neural process but remains insufficiently studied. To detect and modulate neuronal activity at the cellular level within the brain under sleep deprivation, we designed and fabricated a bidirectional microelectrode array (MEA) to record real-time neuronal firing patterns in the PrL of sleep-deprived rats. We also applied targeted deep brain stimulation (DBS) to assess the potential for therapeutic intervention. The MEA modified with platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) and sorbitol-doped poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) exhibits low impedance, low phase delay, and high charge storage capacity. The results show that sleep deprivation significantly alters neuronal firing rate, synchronization, and network activity in the PrL. Furthermore, deep brain stimulation of PrL activity demonstrated a potential to reverse or mitigate some of these changes, providing insight into the neural mechanisms associated with sleep–wake transition. This work highlights the utility of MEAs in exploring the mechanism of neural activity and developing neuromodulatory strategies in sleep-related disorders.