60-Hz light entrainment to unlock mental health conditions
This project aims to develop a non-invasive light-based therapy to enhance cognitive function by targeting the perineuronal net in mice, with potential applications for anxiety and PTSD treatment.
Projectdetails
Introduction
Mental health problems are a critical and ever-increasing burden to society. Psychiatric medications aim to adjust imbalances in synapse signaling, but often have only moderate-to-weak efficacy.
Challenges in Current Treatments
The main challenge is that certain neuronal infrastructures for cognitive and emotional skills are secured with a rigid extracellular matrix known as the perineuronal net (PNN) that forms around neurons and locks the brain in a functional state.
Limitations of Enzymatic Interventions
Enzymatic interventions that can release the lock have been evaluated in mice, but they are not appropriate for translating into human therapeutics because they are invasive and prevent the reformation of PNN, making the brain vulnerable.
Discovery of Non-Invasive Method
In the context of the ERC StG, we discovered that non-invasive external light entrainment at highly-selective 60-Hz enables microglia localized within the neuronal network to transiently remove PNN in a controlled and brain region-specific manner in both sexes, with improved cognitive performances in mice.
Therapeutic Intervention
Thus, our discovery solves the urgent need for a targeted, non-invasive, non-pharmacological, and therefore environmentally-friendly therapeutic intervention.
Project Goals
This ERC Proof-of-Concept will allow us to expand on our discovery and evaluate the therapeutic potential in a preclinical mouse model of anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Our objectives are to:
- Identify at which stage of the fear memory formation 60-Hz entrainment shows the highest benefit.
- Adjust treatment length and repetition frequency.
- Validate physiological parameters as a therapeutic success criterion.
Future Directions
These insights will refine the first prototype development and set the therapeutic frame, which will both be critical to smoothen the transition into a clinical study post-ERC PoC, and will set the foundation for a spin-off company.
Financiële details & Tijdlijn
Financiële details
Subsidiebedrag | € 150.000 |
Totale projectbegroting | € 150.000 |
Tijdlijn
Startdatum | 1-3-2024 |
Einddatum | 31-8-2025 |
Subsidiejaar | 2024 |
Partners & Locaties
Projectpartners
- INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AUSTRIApenvoerder
Land(en)
Vergelijkbare projecten binnen European Research Council
Project | Regeling | Bedrag | Jaar | Actie |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bidirectional Brain/Neural-Computer Interaction for Restoration of Mental HealthThis project aims to develop a portable neuromodulation system using quantum sensors and magnetic stimulation to precisely target brain oscillations for treating mental health disorders. | ERC Consolid... | € 1.999.875 | 2025 | Details |
Transient inactivation of hypothalamic hormone release to prevent post-traumatic stress sensitizationThe project aims to develop small-molecule inhibitors targeting stress-related neurocircuits to create a novel pharmacotherapy for PTSD. | ERC Proof of... | € 150.000 | 2022 | Details |
Deep Brain Neuromodulation using Temporal Interference Magnetic StimulationDevelop a non-invasive tool using temporal interference magnetic stimulation for precise modulation of neural activity in the brain, aiming to improve treatment options for brain disorders. | ERC Proof of... | € 150.000 | 2022 | Details |
NEurological MEchanismS of Injury, and Sleep-like cellular dynamicsNEMESIS aims to restore normal brain function in focal disorders through circuit-based stimulation and modeling of network abnormalities to improve patient outcomes. | ERC Synergy ... | € 9.927.253 | 2023 | Details |
Neuroprosthetic Modulation of Large-Scale Brain Networks for Treating Memory DisordersThis project aims to develop a neuromodulation framework using a neuroprosthesis to enhance learning and memory by manipulating neural oscillations in the hippocampus-prefrontal cortex circuit. | ERC Starting... | € 1.499.625 | 2022 | Details |
Bidirectional Brain/Neural-Computer Interaction for Restoration of Mental Health
This project aims to develop a portable neuromodulation system using quantum sensors and magnetic stimulation to precisely target brain oscillations for treating mental health disorders.
Transient inactivation of hypothalamic hormone release to prevent post-traumatic stress sensitization
The project aims to develop small-molecule inhibitors targeting stress-related neurocircuits to create a novel pharmacotherapy for PTSD.
Deep Brain Neuromodulation using Temporal Interference Magnetic Stimulation
Develop a non-invasive tool using temporal interference magnetic stimulation for precise modulation of neural activity in the brain, aiming to improve treatment options for brain disorders.
NEurological MEchanismS of Injury, and Sleep-like cellular dynamics
NEMESIS aims to restore normal brain function in focal disorders through circuit-based stimulation and modeling of network abnormalities to improve patient outcomes.
Neuroprosthetic Modulation of Large-Scale Brain Networks for Treating Memory Disorders
This project aims to develop a neuromodulation framework using a neuroprosthesis to enhance learning and memory by manipulating neural oscillations in the hippocampus-prefrontal cortex circuit.
Vergelijkbare projecten uit andere regelingen
Project | Regeling | Bedrag | Jaar | Actie |
---|---|---|---|---|
MagnetoElectric and Ultrasonic Technology for Advanced BRAIN modulationMETA-BRAIN aims to develop non-invasive, precise control of brain activity using magnetoelectric nanoarchitectures and ultrasonic technologies, enhancing treatment for neurological disorders. | EIC Pathfinder | € 2.987.655 | 2024 | Details |
A synaptic mechanogenetic technology to repair brain connectivityDeveloping a mechanogenetic technology using magnetic nanoparticles to non-invasively regulate neural circuits for treating treatment-resistant brain disorders like stroke and epilepsy. | EIC Pathfinder | € 3.543.967 | 2023 | Details |
A NON-INVASIVE, ADAPTIVE DIGITAL THERAPEUTIC SOLUTION FOR POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER AND OTHER MENTAL DISORDERSGrayMatters aims to treat PTSD using a non-invasive, machine-learning-based EEG-Neurofeedback device to help patients control amygdala activity, showing promising clinical results. | EIC Accelerator | € 2.500.000 | 2022 | Details |
LUMINESCENT IMPLANTS AS PORTS FOR LIGHT-BASED THERAPIESThe project aims to develop PhotoTheraPorts for localized light delivery to enhance anti-inflammatory and neuroinhibitory drug efficacy, improving treatment precision for neuropathic pain and epilepsy. | EIC Pathfinder | € 2.999.840 | 2024 | Details |
Wireless deep BRAIN STimulation thrOugh engineeRed Multifunctinal nanomaterialsBRAINSTORM aims to develop a scalable wireless neuromodulation technology using smart magnetic nanomaterials to selectively control deep brain neurons for therapeutic applications in Fragile X syndrome. | EIC Pathfinder | € 3.083.850 | 2023 | Details |
MagnetoElectric and Ultrasonic Technology for Advanced BRAIN modulation
META-BRAIN aims to develop non-invasive, precise control of brain activity using magnetoelectric nanoarchitectures and ultrasonic technologies, enhancing treatment for neurological disorders.
A synaptic mechanogenetic technology to repair brain connectivity
Developing a mechanogenetic technology using magnetic nanoparticles to non-invasively regulate neural circuits for treating treatment-resistant brain disorders like stroke and epilepsy.
A NON-INVASIVE, ADAPTIVE DIGITAL THERAPEUTIC SOLUTION FOR POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER AND OTHER MENTAL DISORDERS
GrayMatters aims to treat PTSD using a non-invasive, machine-learning-based EEG-Neurofeedback device to help patients control amygdala activity, showing promising clinical results.
LUMINESCENT IMPLANTS AS PORTS FOR LIGHT-BASED THERAPIES
The project aims to develop PhotoTheraPorts for localized light delivery to enhance anti-inflammatory and neuroinhibitory drug efficacy, improving treatment precision for neuropathic pain and epilepsy.
Wireless deep BRAIN STimulation thrOugh engineeRed Multifunctinal nanomaterials
BRAINSTORM aims to develop a scalable wireless neuromodulation technology using smart magnetic nanomaterials to selectively control deep brain neurons for therapeutic applications in Fragile X syndrome.