Scientists are developing an innovative treatment for brain conditions like epilepsy in the form of injectable “microbots” that can detect and prevent seizures.

The microbots are about a tenth of a millimeter in size, and will be implanted in the brain and controlled using a small wearable unit, according to StudyFinds.

According to the University of Glasgow researchers, the bots will be able to monitor electrical activity that can detect the onset of a seizure and control its effect through targeted neurostimulation.

Named CROSSBRAIN, the project is spearheaded by scientists from Tor Vergata, University of Rome. Separately, Professor Hadi Heidari, from the University of Glasgow, is leading the U.K. participation in the project.

“We’re pleased to be part of this ambitious project, which has the potential to pave the way for transformative treatments for pathological brain conditions like epilepsy,” Prof. Heidari said in a university release.

The microbots are slated to be developed in the next four years.

“Within brain tissue, neurons communicate through a complex interplay of signaling mechanisms, including chemical, thermal, and electrical (depolarization/repolarization) changes. It is widely known that many pathological brain conditions directly involve aberrant electrical activity of the brain, such as epileptic seizures or panic disorders,” Professor Nicola Toschi from the Tor Vergata University of Rome, explained, the outlet reported.

“In such conditions, timely recognition and prompt intervention are essential to begin effective periodic and adaptive treatment. However, the technologies available to guide and modulate brain activity in a precise and selective way for therapeutic purposes are severely limited to date, considerably reducing the therapeutic options,” Toschi added.

In other news, scientists found even brief exposure to diesel fumes from cars and other vehicles could hurt the human brain. They analyzed the brains of 25 adults via MRI to determine the effects of polluted air.

“We observed short-term pollution-attributable decrements in default mode network functional connectivity. Decrements in brain connectivity cause many detrimental effects to the human body so this finding should guide policy change in air pollution exposure regulation,” the team concluded.

A similar study from researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology published in Management Science looked into how poor air quality affects the cognitive function of chess players.

The team found that even expert chess players performed worse when exposed to poor air quality, suggesting that pollution particles in the air negatively affect cognitive function.