Magnetized astrocytes
Scientists have proposed a new method of non-invasive treatment of neurological diseases
Alexandra Medvedeva, Naked Science
Scientists from University College London (UK) have developed a new technology called "magnetomechanical stimulation". They used microscopic magnetic particles to remotely control brain cells using a magnet placed outside the body. Such stimulation allows you to activate astrocytes — cells of the neuroglia, auxiliary brain tissue. According to scientists, their discovery, the results of which are published in the journal Advanced Science (Yu et al., Remote and Selective Control of Astrocytes by Magnetomechanical Stimulation), will allow the creation of new non-invasive methods for the treatment of neurological diseases.
Astrocytes / © Wikimedia Commons
Astrocytes perform many functions in the brain. In particular, they provide neurons with mechanical support, regulate the exchange of nutrients between brain cells, modulate the activity of neural circuits, form a blood-brain barrier, and sometimes, in case of injuries, they can even turn into neurons.
The ability to control astrocytes using a magnetic field gives researchers a new tool for studying the functions of these cells in both healthy and diseased organisms. This is important for the development of new treatments for various neurological disorders, including stroke and epilepsy.
Scientists have applied antibodies specifically binding to astrocytes to the surface of microscopic magnetic particles. In the experiments, the researchers injected particles into the desired area of the rat's brain by injection. When exposed to a magnet located near the animal's head, the particles attached to the astrocytes had a mechanical effect on them, which led to their activation.
Unlike other methods of controlling the activity of neurons, such as optogenetics, chemogenetics or acoustic genetics, magnetomechanical stimulation does not require the introduction of specific protein genes into neurons. This need for genetic modification has been a major obstacle to the clinical application of such methods.
Another undoubted advantage of magnetomechanical stimulation is that magnets glow during an MRI scan, so their location in the body can be monitored and controlled by directing them to those areas of the brain where it is necessary to make an impact. This makes the new technology a promising alternative to invasive procedures that are now used for deep brain stimulation and require the introduction of electrons into the brain.
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