Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-30-2021

Publication Title

Scientific Reports

Volume

11

Publisher Name

Springer Nature

Abstract

Electric currents can produce quick, reversible control of neural activity. Externally applied electric currents have been used in inhibiting certain ganglion cells in clinical practices. Via electromagnetic induction, a miniature-sized magnetic coil could provide focal stimulation to the ganglion neurons. Here we report that high-frequency stimulation with the miniature coil could reversibly block ganglion cell activity in marine mollusk Aplysia californica, regardless the firing frequency of the neurons, or concentration of potassium ions around the ganglion neurons. Presence of the ganglion sheath has minimal impact on the inhibitory effects of the coil. The inhibitory effect was local to the soma, and was sufficient in blocking the neuron’s functional output. Biophysical modeling confirmed that the miniature coil induced a sufficient electric field in the vicinity of the targeted soma. Using a multi-compartment model of Aplysia ganglion neuron, we found that the high-frequency magnetic stimuli altered the ion channel dynamics that were essential for the sustained firing of action potentials in the soma. Results from this study produces several critical insights to further developing the miniature coil technology for neural control by targeting ganglion cells. The miniature coil provides an interesting neural modulation strategy in clinical applications and laboratory research.

Identifier

ISSN 2045-2322

Comments

Author Posting. © The Author(s), 2021. The definitive version was published in Scientific Reports, Volume 11, Article 13591, 30 June 2021.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-93114-x

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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