Researchers from Nanjing University in China and Northwestern University in the United States develop an injectable wireless deep brain stimulation (DBS) NANO system that can reverse Parkinson's disease symptoms. /Courtesy of Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital

Parkinson's disease, affecting 10 million people worldwide, is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder that occurs due to the continuous degeneration of dopamine neurons. Symptoms mainly include a decline in motor function and memory impairment. With no clear treatment available yet, researchers from China and the United States have developed a new technology that may alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Researchers from Nanjing University in China and Northwestern University in the United States announced on the 16th that they have developed an injectable wireless deep brain stimulation (DBS) NANO system that can reverse the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. The findings were published that day in the international journal "Science Advances."

Existing treatments for Parkinson's disease have mostly focused on amplifying dopamine signals or promoting dopamine production. While effective in alleviating symptoms, they have not reversed the underlying neurodegeneration. The researchers believe that if the protein alpha-synuclein aggregates, which cause the degeneration of dopamine neurons, can be removed, it may be possible to reverse the condition.

The researchers created a system that combines gold nanoparticles, which generate heat when exposed to light, antibodies that activate dopamine neurons, and peptides that degrade alpha-synuclein. When a specific light is shone on the nanoparticles, the light converts to heat, triggering the antibodies to activate the dopamine neurons and induce neural activity. The peptides not only degrade alpha-synuclein fibers but also activate autophagy to accelerate fiber removal.

After verifying this technology in a cellular model of Parkinson's disease, the researchers conducted experiments on mice that exhibit Parkinson's symptoms due to accumulated alpha-synuclein in the brain. As a result, the mice's motor functions were restored, and the accumulated alpha-synuclein decreased. Dopamine levels in the basal ganglia, the main secretion site of dopamine, also increased. The administered nanoparticles were safely expelled into the cerebrospinal fluid within 8 weeks without leaving the treatment area, and no toxicity was observed.

Existing deep brain stimulation technologies activate neurons through external stimuli such as electricity, light, or sound waves. While allowing for precise spatial control, they have the drawback of requiring the implantation of permanent devices. With this research confirming that specific nerves can be activated through external stimuli without the need for permanent device implantation, it has been evaluated that a safer and more effective deep brain stimulation technology has emerged.

The researchers noted, "This proof-of-concept study demonstrates that deep brain stimulation technology can be expanded without additional device implantation or genetic manipulation," adding, "Since this treatment is only applied to the substantia nigra where numerous nerve cells are concentrated, it could also reduce the side effects of existing deep brain stimulation associated with cognitive or physiological disorders. It has the potential to be applied not only to Parkinson's disease but also to other neurodegenerative diseases."

References

Science Advances (2025), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.ado4927