Scientists have learned to remotely control brain cells

Scientists from the University of California, London (UK) have tested the technology for controlling brain cells. Magnetomechanical stimulation technology will allow controlling brain cells using an external magnetic device.

The new technique uses microscopic magnetic particles to remotely activate brain cells. This discovery may lead to the development of a new class of non-invasive treatments for neurological disorders.

The researchers called their method "magnetomechanical stimulation": using a magnetic device, you can stimulate touch-sensitive glial brain cells called astrocytes. Microscopic particles are injected into the body through an injection, and then attached to astrocytes in the brain and can "turn on" the necessary cells when a strong magnet is placed next to the head.

The ability to control brain astrocytes is a tool for studying the functions of these cells, which is important for the development of new treatments for some common neurological disorders - primarily epilepsy and stroke.

Neither genetic modification nor implantation of the device is required for the use of micromagnets. This makes the invention a promising candidate as an alternative, less invasive therapy compared to the currently used methods of deep brain stimulation.