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How to stimulate the magnetic material of neurons

The use of a weak magnetic pulse can eliminate poor neural connections in the mouse brain. This finding can be used to treat diseases related to abnormalities in the neural circuits, such as schizophrenia.
In transcranial magnetic stimulation, the electromagnetic coil generates current to stimulate the brain, and depending on the frequency, it can strengthen or inhibit the nerve connection. This technique has been proven to improve the symptoms of patients with brain disorders such as autism and depression.
Now, Jennifer Rodger and colleagues at the University of Western Australia in Australia have found that stimulating the brain with electromagnetic strength that is insufficient to excite neurons can remove bad neural connections in mice.
When we are children, the brain produces many connections between cells. As we grow slowly, some connections are removed and others are strengthened. Schizophrenia is related to the inappropriate deletion of connections.
Roger's team conducted experiments using genetically engineered mice with abnormalities in the attachment of the brain's superior colliculus (the area associated with the movement test). Among these mice, 90% of the mouse's superior colliculus axons were extended and misplaced. The connection makes it difficult for the mouse's sight to keep up with moving objects.
In the study report published in the February issue of The FASEB Journal, the scientists performed a low-intensity pulsed magnetic field stimulation on the upper quadrant of mice for 2 consecutive weeks. The intensity of stimulation is too weak to stimulate healthy neurons. However, after treatment, histological analysis of mice revealed that only 45% of abnormal axons were left. The misplaced axons were eliminated and the ability of the treated mice to track objects was also improved.
Bad neurons usually express a high concentration of specific glutamate receptors, NMDA, which Roger believes will make neurons more sensitive to changes in electrical activity, so low-intensity pulses can excite these neurons. Perminder Sachdev of the University of New South Wales, Australia, believes that low-intensity pulses can reverse the developmental abnormalities, which is exciting and surprising. However, we cannot be sure that normal neural circuits are not affected by it. We cannot assume that this effect is always positive.

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