'Neuromodulation is a promising technique to treat various neurological disorders, such as depression, by altering the activity of specific brain regions or circuits,' said
The study details how the DOT stimulator works by using magnetoelectric antennas that can convert magnetic fields into electric fields and vice versa. The device receives wireless power from an external transmitter that generates a magnetic field, which is then converted into an electric field by the antennas. The electric field is then used to stimulate the brain through the dura, without penetrating the brain tissue. The device can be programmed to deliver different patterns and intensities of stimulation, depending on the desired therapeutic effect. The device also has a large alignment tolerance, meaning that it can receive power even if it is not perfectly aligned with the transmitter.
The DOT stimulator was tested in a human patient and a porcine model, showing that it can reliably and safely stimulate the motor cortex, the brain region that controls voluntary movements. The device induced motor responses in the patients and the pigs, such as hand or leg movements, without causing any adverse effects. The device also showed stable performance for 30 days in the porcine model, demonstrating its potential for long-term operation.
One of the potential applications of the DOT stimulator is to provide neuromodulation for psychiatric conditions such as treatment-resistant depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder. These conditions are currently treated with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a non-invasive technique that uses pulsed magnetic fields to stimulate the brain. However, TMS requires repeated visits to a clinic and delivers high-intensity stimulation that may cause discomfort. The DOT stimulator can also mimic the specific timing patterns of TMS, such as the intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) paradigm, which has been shown to be effective in modulating brain activity and improving mood.
To test the safety and feasibility of the DOT stimulator for neuromodulation, the researchers performed a series of experiments in a porcine model and found no significant difference in the pathology or inflammation between the stimulated and sham sites, suggesting that the DOT stimulation did not cause any damage or adverse effects to the brain or dura. Moreover, they confirmed that the DOT stimulator could still elicit motor responses in the animals, even in the presence of a mild foreign body reaction, indicating that the device could provide effective neuromodulation despite possible variability in the biocompatibility.
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