Magnetically Regulated Gene Therapy Tech Offers Precise Brain-Circuit Control

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2024-10-14 07:00:15

A gene therapy allows precise magnetic field control of specific brain circuits without implanted devices. The image shows restricted mRNA expression of the genetically encoded magnetic sensor (red) in dopaminergic neurons type 2 (green) in the mouse striatum that regulate initiation of movement. Dopaminergic neurons type 1 (cyan) and cell nuclei shown with dapi staining (blue). Credit: Courtesy of Dr. Santiago Unda.

A new technology enables the control of specific brain circuits non-invasively with magnetic fields, according to a preclinical study from researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine, The Rockefeller University and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. The technology holds promise as a powerful tool for studying the brain and as the basis for future neurological and psychiatric treatments for conditions as diverse as Parkinson’s disease, depression, obesity and complex pain.

The new gene-therapy technology is described in a paper published Oct. 9 in Science Advances. The researchers performed experiments in mice showing that it can switch on or off selected populations of neurons, with clear effects on the animals’ movements. In one experiment, they used it to reduce abnormal movements in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease.