Owing to the proximity of the ear canal to the central nervous system, in-ear electrophysiological systems can be used to unobtrusively monitor brain states. Here, by taking advantage of the ear’s exocrine sweat glands, we describe an in-ear integrated array of electrochemical and electrophysiological sensors placed on a flexible substrate surrounding a user-generic earphone for the simultaneous monitoring of lactate concentration and brain states via electroencephalography, electrooculography and electrodermal activity. In volunteers performing an acute bout of exercise, the device detected elevated lactate levels in sweat concurrently with the modulation of brain activity across all electroencephalography frequency bands. Simultaneous and continuous unobtrusive in-ear monitoring of metabolic biomarkers and brain electrophysiology may allow for the discovery of dynamic and synergetic interactions between brain and body biomarkers in real-world settings for long-term health monitoring or for the detection or monitoring of neurodegenerative diseases.

由于耳道靠近中枢神经系统，入耳式电生理系统可用于不引人注目地监测大脑状态。在这里，通过利用耳朵的外分泌汗腺，我们描述了一种耳内集成的电化学和电生理传感器阵列，放置在围绕用户通用耳机的柔性基板上，用于通过脑电图、眼电图同时监测乳酸浓度和大脑状态和皮肤电活动。在进行剧烈运动的志愿者中，该设备检测到汗液中乳酸水平升高，同时所有脑电图频段的大脑活动都受到调节。对代谢生物标志物和脑电生理学进行同步、连续、不显眼的耳内监测可能有助于发现现实环境中大脑和身体生物标志物之间的动态和协同相互作用，以进行长期健康监测或神经退行性疾病的检测或监测。