The development of the brand-new transcranial static magnetic stimulation for deep brain targets

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K24329
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0909:Sports sciences, physical education, health sciences, and related fields
• Research Institution: Ritsumeikan University
• Principal Investigator: Shibata Sumiya 立命館大学, 衣笠総合研究機構, 研究員 (70844166)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-08-30 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 非侵襲的脳刺激法 / 経頭蓋静磁場刺激法 / 脳深部刺激 / ニューロモデュレーション

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Transcranial static magnetic field stimulation (tSMS), which uses static magnetic fields produced by a single small high-powered neodymium, iron, and boron (NdFeB) magnet placed on the scalp, can reduce the cortical excitability below the magnet. The disadvantage of tSMS is the limitation of stimulation targets. Since the magnetic field produced by tSMS decreases with the distance from the magnet, the magnetic field strength is attenuated to non-effective level in deep brain areas. The aim of this study is to develop a brand-new tSMS system which can effectively stimulate deep brain areas.
Based on the result of the simulation study, I developed a brand-new tSMS system with three NdFeB magnets disposed in contiguity with each other. I confirmed the system could produce a stronger magnetic field at a deeper area than the conventional tSMS. The brand-new tSMS system can expand the possibility of its clinical use.

Free Research Field

神経生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

大脳基底核、脳幹、視床、海馬などが含まれる脳深部領域は、ニューロモデュレーションの重要な刺激部位である。深部領域を脳内電極で刺激する脳深部刺激療法（DBS, deep brain stimulation）は頑痛、パーキンソン病、振戦やジストニアの治療に用いられている。海外ではてんかん、精神疾患の治療にも応用されている。DBSは標的とする神経ネットワークを変更することで、様々な疾患の治療に応用でき、その適応はますます拡大すると考えられる。しかし、DBSは脳内電極や刺激装置を埋め込む手術が必要であり侵襲性が高い。安全かつ安価で手術を必要としない非侵襲的な脳深部刺激法の開発は社会的な有用性が高い。