Small particles — quantum dots — are able to control the brain

“Many brain diseases are caused by impaired neural activity. If you influence certain neurons, you will be able to cope with the problems,” says Li Lin from the University of Washington.

I must say, methods of influencing the brain are already being used. However, with deep brain stimulation, it is necessary to implant electrodes in an invasive way, and transcranial magnetic stimulation affects too large areas of the brain. As for optogenetics (where light works), its safety has not yet been proven.

Quantum dots (photosensitive semiconductor particles with a diameter of several nanometers) have every chance of becoming an effective alternative. First, the scientists obtained a culture of prostate cancer cells on a film covered with dots. The cell membranes were specially positioned next to the dots. Next, the scientists exposed the nanoparticles to light.

The energy of the light activated the electrons at the point, and as a result, the space around it became negatively charged. As a result, some ion channels in cancer cells opened, allowing ions to freely enter and exit the cells. But the opening of tubules in nerve cells is important in terms of the formation of signals through which cells communicate with the brain.

An experiment with nerve cells showed that stimulating the points allowed the tubules to open and caused the cells to emit signals. For this to work in the human body, it will be necessary to deliver quantum dots to the brain by attaching them to molecules.

Source: newscientist.com