Magnetogenetics Breakthrough Offers New Treatment Hope

Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine, The Rockefeller University, and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have developed a novel magnetogenetics technology that enables non-invasive control of brain circuits using magnetic fields, SciTech Daily reported yesterday.

This method, detailed in a study published on October 9 in Science Advances, shows potential for treating neurological and psychiatric disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, depression, obesity, and chronic pain.

The technology utilizes gene therapy to deliver an engineered ion-channel protein to specific neurons, allowing precise activation or inhibition without invasive procedures. Experiments in mice demonstrated the ability to reduce abnormal movements in Parkinson’s models by applying a magnetic field.

The team reported no safety issues and confirmed that normal ambient magnetic fields are too weak to inadvertently trigger the switches.