Forscher entwickelten eine Gentherapie, die Magnetfelder nutzt, um Gruppen von Neuronen ein- und auszuschalten und so von der Parkinson-Krankheit betroffene Gehirnschaltkreise bei Mäusen zu kontrollieren, ohne dass ein implantiertes Gerät erforderlich ist, das zur Behandlung von Depressionen, Fettleibigkeit und chronischen Schmerzen eingesetzt werden kann.

I’ve linked to the news release in the post above. In this comment, for those interested, here’s the link to the peer reviewed journal article:

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adp9150

From the linked article:

Researchers have developed a gene therapy technology that uses magnetic fields to switch groups of neurons on and off, controlling brain circuits affected by Parkinson’s disease. In addition to Parkinson’s, the tech could be used to treat conditions as diverse as depression, obesity, and chronic pain.

Magnetogenetics achieves the same outcome using magnetic fields. Researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine, The Rockefeller University, and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai have collaborated to develop a gene therapy that uses magnetic fields to precisely control specific brain circuits in real-time without needing an implanted device.

In the present study, the therapy was delivered to neurons in the movement-controlling striatum region in mouse brains. When the magnetogenetic tech was activated by exposure to the magnetic field from a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner, the mice’s movements were slowed significantly and even froze.

In another proof-of-concept experiment using mouse models of Parkinson’s disease, the researchers delivered the tech to neurons in a brain region called the subthalamic nucleus. In humans, deep brain stimulation (DBS) targets that region to reduce the motor fluctuations or tremors caused by the condition. Applying a magnetic field to switch on the technology in the mice significantly reduced movement abnormalities.

The researchers plan to explore clinical applications of their magnetogenetic therapy, including treatments for psychiatric conditions and even chronic pain. They’ll also continue optimizing the technology.