Using magnets to influence the brain could lead to revolutionary new depression treatment

The method, tested in rats, targets star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes. Neuroscientists Dr Yichao Yu and Prof Mark Lythgoe at University College London tell us more...

- DR YICHAO YU AND PROF MARK LYTHGOE

YOUR TECHNIQUE FOCUSED ON ASTROCYTES. WHAT EXACTLY ARE THEY?

Yichao Yu: They're a type of glial cell [non-neuronal cells that are found in the brain and spinal cord]. They're very abundant, they outnumber neurons (nerve cells] many times over. Traditionally they're viewed as support cells, they recycle the neurotransmitters that neurons release. They do many logistical maintenance jobs in the brain. But in recent years, as we've learnt more about these cells, we've found that they have many other functions, such as regulating cognitive behaviour.

Mark Lythgoe: For the last hundred years they've been the second-class citizen in the brain in terms of cells. Neurons have taken the limelight because they're electrically active (send electrical signals) and supposedly control all our functions. But astrocytes, although not electrically active in the same way, can communicate and sense and process and control bodily functions.

About 30 years ago, they were called the genius cell. This is because when Einstein died in 1955, his brain was taken out by the pathologist Thomas Harvey and it remained hidden for nearly 30 years. Harvey then started to release a couple of the sections to Marian Diamond, an amazing neuroscientist. She found that Einstein did not have more neurons in certain areas of his brain. He actually had more glial cells, and because of that they were known as the genius cell.

WHAT ARE THE MICRO MAGNETS THAT YOU USE MADE FROM?

YY: They're very simple magnetic particles. They have a core that is made of iron oxide and a polymer shell, which enables us to attach various things to their surface. For example, we attach the antibody to the surface of these magnetic particles so that they will be targeted to astrocytes specifically.