COATED NANOPARTICLES FOR APPLICATION IN MODULATION OF ELECTRIC POLARIZATION OF NEURONS

摘要

This invention relates to medicine, in particular to modulating the electrical polarization of neurons. More specifically, this invention relates to a nanoparticle or an aggregate of nanoparticles for use to modulate the electrical polarization of neurons in a subject, for example, for use in the prophylaxis or treatment of neuronal disease in a subject; typically modulating the electrical polarization of the neurons in the subject when the nanoparticle or aggregate of nanoparticles is exposed to a light source, magnetic field or an ultrasound source, where i) if the nanoparticle or aggregate of nanoparticles is exposed to a light source, the material of the nanoparticle or aggregate of nanoparticles is selected from a material that allows optoelectric transduction, opto-thermal transduction or opto-optical transduction, ii) if the nanoparticle or nanoparticle aggregate is exposed to a magnetic field, the material of the nanoparticle or nanoparticle aggregate is selected from a material that allows magnetoelectric transduction or magneto-thermal transduction, iii) if the nanoparticle or aggregate nanoparticles are exposed to an ultrasound source, the material of the nanoparticle or aggregate of nanoparticles is a material that allows electro-acoustic transduction, and where the nanoparticle or aggregate of nanoparticles is either neutrally charged in the absence of any coating, or coated with a hydrophilic agent imparting a neutral surface charge to the nanoparticle or nanoparticle aggregate. It also relates to compositions and kits containing such nanoparticles and / or aggregates of nanoparticles, as well as their use.