Scientists have developed a new technique that utilises micro-magnetic particles to remotely activate brain cells.
The discovery in rat trials may lead to the development of non-invasive therapies for neurological disorders and brain cells. It may place a part in the development of novel and effective treatments for neurological disorders, such as epilepsy and stroke.
The pioneering technique is called magneto-mechanical stimulation which allows touch-sensitive brain glial cells called astrocytes to be stimulated by a magnetic device outside the body.
Microscopic magnetic particles or micromagnets are attached to astrocytes and used as miniature mechanical switches that can turn on the cells when a strong magnet is placed near the head.
In developing the micro-magnetic stimulation, the scientists aimed to create a more clinically relevant brain cell control technique. Other existing research tools such as optogenetics and chemogenetics require foreign genes to be inserted into the brain cells with the help of a virus. Genetic modification has been a major obstacle to the existing methods.
Micro-magnetic stimulation
Professor Alexander Gourine from the UCL Centre for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Neuroscience said: “Astrocytes are star-shaped cells found throughout the brain. They are strategically positioned between the brain blood vessels and nerve cells. These cells provide neurons with essential metabolic and structural support, modulate neuronal circuit activity and may also function as versatile surveyors of brain milieu, tuned to sense conditions of potential metabolic insufficiency.
“The ability to control brain astrocytes using a magnetic field gives the researchers a new tool to study the function of these cells in health and disease that may be important for future development of novel and effective treatments for some common neurological disorders, such as epilepsy and stroke.”
Professor Mark Lythgoe from the UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging said: “Because astrocytes are sensitive to touch, decorating them with magnetic particles means you can give the cells a tiny prod from outside the body using a magnet, and as such, control their function. This ability to remotely control astrocytes provides a new tool for understanding their function and may have the potential to treat brain disorders.”
Micro-magnetic technology
Lead researcher Dr Yichao Yu UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging said: “Our new technology uses magnetic particles and magnets to remotely and precisely control brain cell activity and, importantly, does this without introducing any device or foreign gene into the brain.
“In the laboratory-based study, we coated micro-magnetic particles with an antibody that enables them to bind specifically to astrocytes. The particles were then delivered to the target brain region in the rat via injection.
“Another advantage of using micromagnets is that they light up on an MRI scan so we can track their location and target very particular parts of the brain to get precise control of brain function.”
