ASSESSING BEHAVIORAL AND HISTOLOGICAL RESPONSES TO MAGNETOELECTRIC NANOPARTICLE–MEDIATED NEUROMODULATION IN VIVO

Magnetoelectric nanoparticles (MENPs) are an emerging class of neuromodulatory agents capable of transducing externally applied magnetic fields into localized electric stimuli. Developed by our group, MENPs offer a minimally invasive strategy for focal neural modulation that circumvents key limitations of conventional electromagnetic and implant-based approaches. While prior work has demonstrated MENP-mediated modulation of neural activity, critical questions remain regarding their in vivo behavior, biocompatibility, and dose- and stimulation-dependent effects.

Here, we present preliminary in vivo data examining the behavioral and postmortem consequences of intracerebral MENP administration in rats across multiple particle doses and magnetic stimulation parameters. Behavioral assessments conducted following MENP injection and stimulation revealed no detrimental effects on locomotion, anxiety-like behavior, or cognitive performance, supporting the behavioral tolerability of MENPs under the conditions tested. To assess particle distribution and persistence, postmortem analyses were performed, confirming localized MENP presence at the injection site. Ongoing histological investigations are evaluating tissue responses surrounding MENP deposition, including markers of neuroinflammation and neuronal structure. Initial analyses suggest detectable tissue-level changes.

Together, these findings provide an initial characterization of MENP localization and behavioral safety following intracerebral delivery and wireless magnetic stimulation. By systematically exploring a range of dosing and stimulation conditions, this work lays the groundwork for defining safe and effective operating regimes for MENP-mediated neuromodulation. These preliminary results support the continued development of MENPs as a flexible, non-pharmacological platform for targeted neural interfacing, while highlighting the need for further studies to fully characterize their biological interactions and long-term effects.