Could a magnetically powered implant treat Parkinson’s tremors?

News

Author: Pippa Prendergast-CoatesPublished: 25 June 2020

Parkinson's LifePrep: Parkinson's LifeCook: Parkinson's LifeServes:

Brain scans

A tiny surgical implant about the size of a grain of rice that can be implanted with minimally invasive surgery may be used to treat tremors in people with Parkinson’s.

Developed by a team of researchers at Rice University, US, the implant uses a thin film of magnetoelectric material to convert acoustic waves from the brain’s magnetic field into electrical voltage. The device produces the same high-frequency signals as clinically approved implants used to treat Parkinson’s, epilepsy and other conditions – and eliminates the need for battery or wired power supply.

In an initial study, the researchers showed that the implants worked in rodents. Professor Jacob Robinson, corresponding author of the study, said: “Our results suggest that using magnetoelectric materials for wireless power delivery is more than a novel idea. These materials are excellent candidates for clinical-grade, wireless bioelectronics.”

For more information on the latest Parkinson’s research please visit the EPDA website.


Read more:

What do you think of Parkinson’s Life? Take part in our reader survey

International programme seeks innovative health tech solutions

Go Back

Share this story

Comments


Related articles


Losing-our-minds

Resources & Tools

Parkinson’s podcast: losing our minds – cognition and PD

Fourth chat show examines psychological and cognitive problems

READ MORE
Liz Dennett rows the Atlantic Ocean

Interviews

Rowing the Atlantic with Parkinson’s has “changed my outlook on life”

We talk to Parkinson’s campaigner Liz Dennett

READ MORE

Special reports

Neurologists should be ‘guides not gods’ – Part 1

Why physicians need to come down from their 'ivory towers'

READ MORE