Cell type-specific neuromodulation using MMG. Credit: Nature Nanotechnology (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41565-024-01694-2
Researchers at the Nanomedicine Center of the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) and Yonsei University in South Korea have demonstrated a technique that uses magnetic fields to manipulate specific areas of the brain, potentially unlocking the secrets of higher brain functions such as cognition, emotion and motivation.
The research team developed the world’s first technology, called Nano-MIND (Magnetogenetic Interface for NeuroDynamics), which uses magnets to wirelessly and remotely tune specific deep-brain neural circuits precisely. The research is published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.
The human brain contains over 100 billion neurons interconnected in complex networks. Controlling neural circuits is crucial for understanding higher brain functions such as cognition, emotion, and social behavior, and for identifying the causes of various brain disorders.
New technologies for controlling brain function will also have an impact on advances in brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), such as those being developed by Neuralink, which aim to enable people to control external devices using only their thoughts.
Magnetic fields have long been used in medical imaging because of their safety and ability to penetrate biological tissue, but using them to precisely control brain circuits has posed a major challenge for scientists.
IBS researchers have successfully developed a cutting-edge magnetogenetic technology called Nano-MIND, which allows for wireless remote control of specific brain regions to modulate complex brain functions such as emotions, social behavior and motivation in animals. This advanced technology utilizes magnetic fields and magnetized nanoparticles to selectively activate targeted brain circuits.
The key innovation lies in the selective expression of nanomagnetic receptors in specific neuron types and brain circuits and activating them with a rotating magnetic field at precise moments, allowing spatial and temporal control of neural activity.
First, NanoMind technology demonstrated its capabilities by selectively activating inhibitory GABA receptors in the medial preoptic area (MPOA), which is involved in maternal behavior. Activating these neurons in non-maternal female mice significantly increased parenting behaviors, such as bringing pups to the nest, similar to those seen in maternal mice.
Furthermore, this technique was used to target motivational circuits in the lateral hypothalamus to control feeding behavior: activating inhibitory neurons within these regions increased appetite and feeding behavior in mice by 100%. Conversely, activating excitatory neurons reduced appetite and feeding behavior by more than 50%.
These results demonstrate that nanoMIND technology can selectively activate targeted brain circuits and bidirectionally regulate higher brain functions, paving the way for advances in neuroscience and potential therapeutic applications.
Jeong Jin-woo, director of the Nanomedicine Center, said, “This is the world’s first technology that uses magnetic fields to freely control specific parts of the brain. We hope that this technology will be widely used in research into elucidating brain functions, advanced artificial neural networks, bidirectional BCI technology, and new treatments for neurological diseases.”
Further information: Seo-Hyun Choi et al., “In vivo magnetogenetics for cell type-specific targeting and modulation of brain circuits.” Nature Nanotechnology (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41565-024-01694-2
Provided by the Institute for Basic Science
Citation: Nanomedicine researchers develop new technology to control neural circuits using magnetic fields (July 17, 2024) Retrieved July 17, 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2024-07-nanomedicine-technology-neural-circuits-magnetic.html
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