Wireless Magnetomechanical Stimulation of Targeted Vagal Gut-Brain Circuits
Kim, Y. J.; Biglari, N.; Cannon, T. M.; Forbrigger, C.; Machen, S.; Paniagua, E. V.; Pang, K. K. L.; Slaughter, J.; Beckham, J.; Nagao, K.; Whittier, E.; Anikeeva, P.
Show abstract
Causal manipulation of vagal gut-brain pathways empowers studies of metabolism and interoception. However, the anatomy and cytoarchitecture of vagal circuits pose challenges to deployment of optical or electrical stimulation probes. We present a wireless modulation of vagal circuits via magnetite nanodiscs (MNDs) targeted to specific nodose ganglia neurons via genetically delivered anchoring moieties. Under slow-varying magnetic fields, membrane-bound MNDs transduce mechanical torques that trigger depolarization mediated by endogenous mechanoreceptors in sensory neurons. When targeted to neurons expressing oxytocin or glucagon-like peptide 1 receptors in the left nodose ganglia, MND stimulation activates downstream hindbrain satiety circuits and reduces food intake. These findings establish MND-mediated stimulation as a targeted, implant-free platform for modulating gut-brain neural circuits and beyond.
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