NYU Abu Dhabi scientists create ingestible device to control appetite

Quick facts:

• Ingestible Capsule FLASH is a Non-Invasive and Precise Method to Regulate Hunger Levels and Treat Metabolic and Neurological Diseases
• Inspired by the water-absorbing skin of the Australian spiny lizard, FLASH capsules can attach directly to stomach tissue to regulate hunger-inducing hormones
• Oral administration of FLASH capsules demonstrated to significantly and reproducibly modulate ghrelin levels
• The device is expected to be useful in a range of applications to treat metabolic, feeding, gastrointestinal and neuropsychiatric disorders non-invasively with minimal off-target effects

ABU DHABI, UAE (April 26, 2023) – A team of researchers at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) led by NYU Tandon Assistant Professor of Bioengineering and NYU Abu Dhabi Senior Neural Engineering and Translational Medical Laboratory Director Khalil Ramadi led Dhabi’s development of a first-of-its-kind ingestible electronic device for neuromodulation of the gut-brain axis, the signaling pathway between the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system. Ingestible capsules are a non-invasive and precise method for regulating hunger levels and treating metabolic and neurological disorders. This was developed in collaboration with MIT Professor Giovanni Traverso, co-senior author of the study, and MIT graduate student James McRae, lead author of a paper published in the journal Science Robotics.

The FLASH system uses electrodes on its surface to electrically stimulate the gastric mucosal tissue. The gut-brain axis regulates a variety of physiological functions, including feeding and emotional behavior. Existing medical and surgical methods for adjusting the axis, including surgically implanting electrodes, are imprecise, invasive, and associated with significant downtime and associated risks. Inspired by the absorbent cuticle of the Australian spiny lizard Moloch horridus, FLASH features a grooved patterned coating of absorbent capsules and a hydrophilic (water-compatible) surface that allows them to bypass gastric juice in the stomach and achieve direct electrode-tissue contact .

Gastric electrical stimulation (GES) directly induces the gastric mucosa to release the hunger-stimulating hormone ghrelin through endoscopic stimulation. Oral administration of FLASH capsules has been shown to significantly and reproducibly modulate ghrelin hormone levels. In a paper published today, titled Bioinspired, fluid-wicking, ingestible electroceutical capsules for hunger-regulating hormone modulation, researchers report the process of developing FLASH capsules that are swallowed, stimulate the stomach, and then pass safely out of the body . Powered by an ingestible battery, the capsules were proven to provide 20 minutes of stimulation and then excreted within two weeks of ingestion in large animals.

Current hormonal drugs have poor bioavailability when taken orally. This is why medications such as insulin are injected. FLASH, which can be taken orally, specifically targets the gastric neurohormonal circuit and regulates hormone levels in the blood. The device is expected to be useful in a range of applications to treat metabolic, feeding, gastrointestinal and neuropsychiatric disorders non-invasively with minimal off-target effects.

“Electronics, or electrical stimulation therapy, has become the next frontier in neuromodulation,” Ramadi said. “FLASH is one of the first ingestible electronics products that can modulate precise neurohormonal circuits while avoiding the discomfort that patients may experience during invasive treatments. Future ingestible electronic systems could target responses other than acute, short-term gastric stimulation.” designed and customized for specific applications.”