Figure 8.

External fields can be applied to remotely stimulated neurons via nanoparticle transducers. a-d) Magnetic nanoparticles generate localized hyperthermia when exposed to an alternating magnetic field. This effect was employed to stimulate the heat-sensitive receptor TRPV1, and heat maps show the activation of TRPV1 when magnetic nanoparticles and an external field are introduced into the neuronal culture. Upon application of the magnetic field, both TRPV1 was activated and there was significant temperature increase, illustrating the operation of the magnetic nanoparticles to stimulate the TRPV1 activation via remote controlled hyperthermia. Reproduced with permission.^[168] Copyright 2015, American Association for the Advancement of Science. e-g) Piezoelectric barium titanate nanoparticles associate with neuronal cell membranes and calcium flux can be modulated by applied ultrasound. Arrow indicated application of ultrasound pulse. Reproduced with permission.^[172] Copyright 2015, American Chemical Society.