Magnetoelectric 'spin' on stimulating the brain

Nanomedicine (Lond). 2015;10(13):2051-61. doi: 10.2217/nnm.15.52. Epub 2015 May 8.

Abstract

Aim: The in vivo study on imprinting control region mice aims to show that magnetoelectric nanoparticles may directly couple the intrinsic neural activity-induced electric fields with external magnetic fields.

Methods: Approximately 10 µg of CoFe2O4-BaTiO3 30-nm nanoparticles have been intravenously administrated through a tail vein and forced to cross the blood-brain barrier via a d.c. field gradient of 3000 Oe/cm. A surgically attached two-channel electroencephalography headmount has directly measured the modulation of intrinsic electric waveforms by an external a.c. 100-Oe magnetic field in a frequency range of 0-20 Hz.

Results: The modulated signal has reached the strength comparable to that due the regular neural activity.

Conclusion: The study opens a pathway to use multifunctional nanoparticles to control intrinsic fields deep in the brain.

Keywords: magnetoelectric nanoparticles; nanoengineering the brain; noninvasive brain stimulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Barium Compounds / analysis
  • Barium Compounds / chemistry*
  • Barium Compounds / metabolism
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / physiology
  • Brain / physiology*
  • Cobalt / analysis
  • Cobalt / chemistry*
  • Cobalt / metabolism
  • Electroencephalography / methods*
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Female
  • Ferric Compounds / analysis
  • Ferric Compounds / chemistry*
  • Ferric Compounds / metabolism
  • Magnets / analysis
  • Magnets / chemistry*
  • Mice
  • Nanoparticles / administration & dosage
  • Nanoparticles / analysis
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Nanoparticles / metabolism
  • Nanoparticles / ultrastructure
  • Titanium / analysis
  • Titanium / chemistry*
  • Titanium / metabolism

Substances

  • Barium Compounds
  • Ferric Compounds
  • barium titanate(IV)
  • ferrite
  • Cobalt
  • Titanium