An ultra-thin light probe that reaches deep into the brain could provide a non-invasive way to detect chemical changes caused by tumours or brain injuries, following research in mice.

The study, by the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), and also involving EARA member the University of Padua, Italy, developed a probe, less than one-millimetre wide, that projects a thin beam of light.

This ‘molecular flashlight’, was successfully inserted deep into the brains of the mice without causing any damage and illuminated nerve tissue – the light interacts in different ways with specific types of molecule and makes it possible to analyse any changes caused by both traumatic brain injury or cancer cells.

Senior author Manuel Valiente, at CNIO, said: “This technology allows us to study the brain in its natural state without the need for prior alteration…

“The difference with existing technology is that we can now perform this analysis in a minimally invasive way, regardless of whether the tumour is superficial or deep.”