Piezoelectric Nanoparticle-Based\nUltrasound Wireless\nPiezoelectric Neuromodulation Inhibits Epileptiform Activity of Primary\nNeurons

Piezoelectric materials, renowned for their ability to\nconvert\nmechanical energy into electrical energy, have gained attention for\ntheir potential in biomedical applications. In particular, piezoelectric\nnanoparticles, such as barium titanate nanoparticles, hold great promise\nfor treating neurologically related diseases. In this study, barium\ntitanate piezoelectric nanoparticles are used as stimulators to directly\ntreat epileptic neurons. After being modified by polyethylene glycol,\nbarium titanate nanoparticles have shown excellent biocompatibility\nand dispersibility. Furthermore, such nanoparticles offer wireless\npiezoelectric stimulation to neurons in response to low-intensity\npulsed ultrasound. More importantly, our experiments reveal that \npiezoelectric stimulation immediately reduces neuronal intracellular\ncalcium concentration and restores cell viability. These effects are\nattributed to the opening of voltage-gated calcium channels and the\nrelease of active substances. These findings offer insights into the\npotential of piezoelectric stimulation as an approach for epilepsy\ntreatment and enhance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying\nelectrical stimulation in epileptic neurons.