Microfluidic neurotransmiter-based neural interfaces for retinal prosthesis

Natural inter-neuronal communication is mediated primarily via neurotransmitter-gated ion channels. While most of the methods for neural interfacing have been based upon electrical stimulation, neurotransmitter-based approaches for the spatially and temporally controlled delivery of neurotransmitters are relatively new. Methods of neurotransmitter stimulation retinal prosthesis may provide new ways to control neural excitation. Experimental results for retinal ganglion cell stimulation demonstrate the feasibility of a neurotransmitter-based retinal prosthesis.