Feasibility of MRI-Guided Micro-Coil Positioning to Enhance Precision in Micro-Magnetic Stimulation (μMS) and Preliminary Application in Rats

Motivation: Micro-magnetic stimulation (μMS) emerges as a promising alternative to electrical stimulation in the treatment of drug-resistant diseases involving the use of implanted devices, as it is more precise, safer and particularly suitable for chronic applications. Goal(s): Ensuring high precision in micro-coil placement would enable more controlled and focal stimulation, enhancing therapeutic outcomes. Approach: We investigated the feasibility of using MRI to optimize micro-coil position relative to the target tissue and explored the application of μMS in rodents. Results: MRI-guided micro-coil positioning is feasible, and in rats, μMS successfully elicited localized neural activation and induced changes in glutamate levels in the stimulated brain area. Impact: We have preliminarily demonstrated the feasibility of using MRI to overcome the challenges of precise micro-coil placement in μMS applications, which could enhance stimulation accuracy and selectivity, thereby inducing spatially confined activation and minimizing the risks of unintended stimulation.