Po-Han Chiang, PhD | National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
Competition Sponsor: Academia Sinica
Awardee Year: 2023
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders worldwide. Conventional deep brain stimulation (DBS) with electrode implantation is clinically used for severe PD patients. However, the electrode implants are invasive and carry the risk of side effects. Therefore, developing a novel, minimally invasive technology for wireless DBS in neurological disorders is an urgent health longevity problem that needs to be addressed. Magnetic stimulation is an ideal neuromodulation approach that can penetrate tissues and skull without interference, thus eliminating the need for electrodes or fiber implants. In the last decade, wireless DBS approaches based on magnetic nanoparticles have seen rapid development. Among them, nano-mechanotransducer-based wireless DBS only requires low-intensity and low-frequency alternative magnetic field, which allows for the scalable application of the magnetic platform to larger volumes. In this study, we aim to investigate the translational potential of nano-mechanotransducer-based wireless DBS in PD. We hypothesize that abnormal motor function in a PD mouse model can be rescued by wirelessly stimulating a specific deep brain region with this approach. Overall, this study will provide a potential strategy of treatment for PD and other neurological disorders with minimal invasiveness.