Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2021

DOI

10.1089/bioe.2021.0005

Publication Title

Bioelectricity

Volume

3

Issue

3

Pages

176-185

Abstract

The delivery of pulsed electric fields to biological cells for regenerative research and therapeutic applications is a field that has been widely explored. Picosecond pulsed electric fields have been shown to induce intracellular effects and directly target cell membrane proteins as well as being able to induce cell permeabilization and death by apoptosis. Additionally, ultrashort pulses can be focused and delivered in a noncontact manner for possible targeting of deep and inaccessible tissues. The unique characteristics of picosecond pulses make them a possible approach for treatment of Huntington's and Alzheimer's diseases, both characterized by progressive neuronal degeneration and death, and presence of intracellular and extracellular protein aggregates. In this study, the defining characteristics of picosecond pulses and neurodegenerative diseases are reviewed, and a description of how picosecond pulsed electric fields can be applied to disrupt protein aggregates, can target neural stem cell differentiation, and can be delivered to neurological tissue is provided.

Comments

Copyright 2021, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.

Included in accordance with publisher policy.

ORCID

0000-0002-0621-2819 (Mollica)

Original Publication Citation

Zamponi, M., Petrella, R., & Mollica, P. A. (2021). Picosecond pulsed electric fields and promise in neurodegeneration research. Bioelectricity, 3(3). https://doi.org/10.1089/bioe.2021.0005

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