Assessment of the effects of a wireless neural stimulation mediated by piezoelectric nanoparticles

Abstract

Wireless neuronal stimulation, mediated by ultrasounds and piezoelectric nanoparticles, represents an unprecedented approach aimed at cell activation. Recently, we demonstrated that barium titanate nanoparticles behave as excellent nanotransducers, by eliciting specific cell response following treatment with ultrasounds. In this chapter, we describe in detail the techniques exploited to investigate the nanoparticle/cell interactions and the activation of the neuronal-like cultures in terms of sodium and calcium fluxes.