Scientists have established remote control of brain neurons using artificial genes and magnets

Scientists from the University of Virginia have shown how to use magnetic fields to control special neurons in the brain that appeared there thanks to artificial genes. This study may allow a leap forward in the treatment of various neuro-diseases - for example, schizophrenia or Parkinson's disease.

“It is possible that we came across a“ dream tool ”for the remote control of nerve contours, by controlling certain brain cells. For this, special gene products susceptible to magnetic fields have been artificially created, ”said Ali Deniz Güler, professor of biology.

Together with Michael Wheeler [Michael Wheeler] they constructed a gene, allowing cells to perceive magnetic fields. For this, two genes were combined, one of which was responsible for the reaction to cell stretching. The resulting gene, of course, was named by Magneto scientists, in honor of the comic book hero about the X-Men.

Placing magnetically sensitive nerve cells at the center of brain pleasure, scientists observed how experimental animals change their behavior in the presence of magnetic fields, confirming the success of the operation. Mice voluntarily came to those sections of the labyrinth where magnetic fields were present, and showed no interest in them if the field was turned off.

Also, experiments were performed on the embryos of zebrafish, which began to move actively when the magnetic field was turned on, and stopped doing it when it was turned off. In their case, nerve cells sensitive to electromagnetic fields were located near the center responsible for processing information about the pressure of water flows.

Scientists have been able to achieve the activation of certain brain cells with the help of magnetic fields, which no one could do before. This process is non-invasive and accurate, and can lead to the creation of fundamentally new methods of treating brain pathologies. In the meantime, the method can already be used to study the features of growth, development and functioning of the brain.