ThaXonian - Magnetic Axon Therapy
ThaXonian is an interdisciplinary research project with the aim of developing magnetic field-supported therapy methods and systems for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. ThaXonian emerged from the NeuroMax project. These facilities will use electromagnetic fields to produce therapeutic effects in specific neurons and their extensions, the motor neurons and axons. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) serves as the maximum model of a neuronal disease. The development and optimization of the therapy system is based on the results of cell biological investigations on human motor neurons. In these studies it could be shown that disturbed motor neurons are reactivated by magnetic pulses at a certain frequency and even regain their original performance.
- Current status
- ThaXonian technology: prototype therapy system
- Scientific background: Infographic
- Interim conclusion
- About ALS disease
- ThaXonian movie clip
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- Donation account
Dr. Arun Pal and Katja Peter assess the structural integrity of the cytoskeleton, for example the microtubules, under the influence of magnetic fields on the screen.
Source: HZDR / A. Garbe
Current status
In an effort to continue research into the reactivation of motor neurons using magnetic fields and to pave the way for clinical application, the Saxon State Ministry for Science, Culture and Tourism (SMWK) has been funding the project ThaXonian-M2M since July 2024. The total grant amounts to approximately two million euros and will be provided over a period of three years.
Cell biologist Dr. Arun Pal uses a laser microscope to study the influence of magnetic fields on the metabolism of healthy cells and cells with ALS mutations.
Source: HZDR / A. Garbe
Ongoing in vitro studies (cell culture experiments), initiated at the project’s inception, are being continued and expanded. Thanks to a newly acquired high-performance laser microscope, researchers can now explore the effects of magnetic fields on human neurons with even greater precision. This advanced imaging technology allows for real-time, high-resolution visualization of living cells. Researchers are investigating and comparing the influence of magnetic fields on the metabolic activity of both healthy neural cells and those carrying ALS-related mutations. Initial findings support the hypothesis that oscillating or pulsed magnetic fields can enhance movement and metabolic activity in ALS-affected motor neurons. The team is analyzing the exact cause-and-effect relationships between the magnetic fields and diseased neurons to develop a targeted therapeutic approach. This involves systematically varying individual magnetic field parameters and directly observing the responses in the cultured neuronal cells.
Magnetic coil on the microscope slide of the laser microscope. This advanced imaging technology allows for real-time, high-resolution visualization of living cells. Researchers are investigating and comparing the influence of magnetic fields on the metabolic activity of both healthy neural cells and those carrying ALS-related mutations.
Source: HZDR / A. Garbe
In parallel, transcriptomic analyses are being conducted in close collaboration with the Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD). These investigations focus on RNA transcripts within affected cells. The research team hypothesizes that the pathological impairments in axonal transport — specifically, organelle trafficking along microtubules observed in ALS-damaged motor neurons — are at least partially due to dysregulation of gene expression. To this end, Dr. Arun Pal and his team are examining whether and how exposure to magnetic fields alters gene regulatory mechanisms, potentially restoring these vital transport processes. This molecular-level analysis is central to understanding the biological mechanisms underlying this novel therapeutic concept and refining it for clinical use. Early results indicate that magnetic stimulation modulates the expression of key genes involved in motor neuron function and microtubule stability.
Moreover, the team is assessing the broader applicability of these findings. While current studies focus on motor neurons from ALS patients and healthy controls, researchers are exploring whether the principles of this approach can be translated to other neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and age-related or diabetic polyneuropathy. Given that the underlying mechanism targets fundamental cell biological processes, the ThaXonian team considers the translational potential across these diseases to be very likely.
The short video shows the organelle traffic (mitochondria) in fast motion in axons of healthy motor neurons within the microchannels. The long-distance transport of mitochondria in the particularly long axons of spinal motor neurons is especially critical for the survival and functioning of these nerve cells because this type of organelle is responsible for the entire energy supply. If mitochondria are no longer delivered correctly to the distal regions of the axons due to pathological transport defects, this supply bottleneck presumably leads to the death of the motor neurons typical of ALS. This video microscopy allows the therapeutic potential of different magnetic field settings to be evaluated directly in the in vitro model.
A second major focus of the project involves transitioning to in vivo investigations. The goal is to validate findings from cell culture studies in mouse models, thereby evaluating the transferability of the observed effects to the far more complex tissue environment of living organisms, where motor neurons are embedded in networks of glial cells and vasculature. These animal studies aim to verify the safety and efficacy of magnetic field stimulation — both necessary prerequisites for the initiation of human trials.
One such preclinical trial is currently underway in collaboration with the Hannover Medical School (MHH), using ALS-model mice. This study aims primarily to assess the safety profile of the therapeutic intervention. Ideally, the data will also provide preliminary insight into the therapy’s efficacy in a living system. Completion of the study is anticipated by summer 2025, after which conclusive statements regarding therapeutic impact can be made.
ThaXonian technology: prototype therapy system
The demonstrator, which aims to be able to safely generate and control the therapeutically necessary magnetic fields determined in the in-vitro and in-vivo experiments.
Source: HZDR / A. Garbe
Over the past few years, Dr. Thomas Herrmannsdörfer’s team has developed a prototype therapy device designed to deliver the stimulating magnetic fields to target regions of the body. Preparing this demonstrator for potential use in human trial subjects requires extensive technical validation and further engineering to ensure compliance with the European Medical Device Regulation (MDR). The ultimate objective is to generate and precisely control the therapeutic magnetic fields identified in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Achieving this requires significant engineering innovation to accommodate necessary field strengths, their spatial distribution, integration into clinical settings, and the physical constraints posed by neurodegenerative conditions. In addition, regulatory requirements are already being addressed to facilitate future approval for clinical trials. The High Field Magnetic Laboratory Dresden (HLD) offers excellent and optimal conditions to develop a prototype pulsed field therapy device for neuronal diseases.
The team proceeded accordingly with the planning of the structural design, power electronics, the monitoring and control electronics, and the software of the ThaXonian therapy system. The optical design and the overall construction of the therapy system were mastered with the support of the Chair of Technical Design at TU Dresden. The team has already conducted initial pilot experiments with components of the therapy apparatus, again demonstrating the efficacy of transient magnetic fields for stimulating cultured motor neurons.
A dedicated project like ThaXonian is only possible with an interdisciplinary team. Experts from the fields of medicine, engineering, natural sciences and project management have been working closely together for years to develop the demonstrator.
Source: HZDR / A. Garbe
Scientific background: Infographic
Damaged connections of motoneurons to muscles are restored by alternating magnetic fields
Schematic illustration of the experimental setup to restore cellular defects in cultured motoneurons
Source: Arun Pal
Center: the cell bodies of motoneurons in the spinal cord are projecting long axons wrapped in myelin sheaths along arms and legs to control the contraction of muscle fibres via neuromuscular junctions.
Top gallery: in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), axonal trafficking – i.e. the long-range transport of mitochondria and other organelles in axons driven by motor proteins along microtubules – is severely hampered. The underlying cause is the compromised stability of microtubules. Specifically, the microtubules as underlying roads are damaged themselves in their structural integrity. Furthermore, the axonal mitochondria are damaged in their structure and function, therefore the cellular respiration is ceased (mitochondrial morphology). Altogether, the mitochondria no longer function as crucial power stations and fail to deliver energy. As a result, the axons a dying back and lose their connections to the muscle fibres (neuromuscular junctions). The clinical outcome is a progressive muscle shrinking (atrophy and sclerosis) and paralysis in the ALS patient.
Left: Petri dishes with cultured motoneurons from ALS patients are placed within a magnetic coil to investigate the therapeutic impact of alternating magnetic fields. In the shown configuration, the axons of the motoneurons in the Petri dish are oriented in a perpendicular fashion with respect to the homogeneous magnetic field within the central bore of the coil.
Bottom gallery: the ThaXonian team has systematically optimized the technical parameters of the magnetic field stimulation to restore axonal trafficking, microtubular stability, mitochondrial morphology and supposedly the connectivity across neuromuscular junctions back to levels similar to healthy motoneurons.
Reactivation of motor neurons by magnetic pulses: In healthy people, the motor neurons move completely normally; in ALS patients, they stand still. But the magnetic pulses reactivate the motor neurons and at a certain frequency they even regain their original efficiency.
Interim conclusion
The laser microscope can be used to investigate whether the microtubules are repaired by exposure to the magnetic field, thus enabling organelle motility to be restored. For this purpose, the microtubules are stained accordingly.
Source: HZDR / A. Pal
The experiment data obtained so far allow us to derive the following generally valid results:
- The experiments performed within the project have demonstrated the in-vitro efficacy of cell stimulation by transient magnetic fields on axonal organelle transport, regeneration of axonal growth cones and in DNA repair in the genome.
- These three biological processes are crucial for neuronal functionality.
- It has been demonstrated that these vital functions can be sustainably restored in cell experiments by magnetic field exposure of motor neurons suffering from significant impairments as a consequence of advanced ALS disease.
- The required magnetic field frequencies and threshold values of the magnetic field amplitudes could be repeatedly verified in experiments on different cell cultures.
The interdisciplinary ThaXonian project team has succeeded in laying the foundations for a treatment approach to neurodegenerative diseases using innovative experimental methods with both cell biological and physical backgrounds. If the findings obtained in the cell experiments are also confirmed in studies with the prototype therapy system, this will lay the foundation for a promising method for the treatment of serious nerve diseases that is foreseeably free of pain and pharmaceutical substances. This is based on tailored sequences of transient magnetic field exposures to nerve tracts.
This would be invaluable for patients suffering from ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases. ALS is currently not considered curable or treatable and can often lead to death after only a few years after diagnosis. The project team now intends to intensify the cell biological studies and extend them to other neuronal diseases, as well as to validate and further develop the therapeutic system.
About ALS disease
In healthy people, so-called motor neurons - special nerve cells in the cerebral cortex, brain stem and spinal cord - send signals to skeletal muscles to trigger movement. In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, these neurons are severely damaged and no longer send signals. As a result, the muscles do not receive instructions, can no longer work and gradually dwindle. Usually, problems with arms and legs are the first symptoms; in some patients, the disease also manifests itself with speech disorders or swallowing difficulties.
Although ALS has been known for about 100 years, there is still no prospect of a cure. There are only drug therapies to alleviate the symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease. Around 8,000 patients are currently suffering from ALS throughout Germany, and around 800,000 people and their families are affected worldwide.
ThaXonian movie clip
The team produced a film to draw attention to the research and hopes that this will also open up new sources of funding to continue the project “ThaXonian”.
Download video/mp4 - 144,8 MB / 1280x720 px
Download video/mp4 - 562,9 MB / 1920x1080 px
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Dr. Thomas Herrmannsdörfer and his team receive inquiries about this project almost on a daily basis, mostly from patients or their relatives. Unfortunately, the scientists are not able to talk to each and everyone personally at the moment. The current state of research is well reflected, for example, on this website.
At the moment, the scientists are intensively looking for cooperation and funding partners to continue the research project and to build and test the prototype therapy system. In parallel, they are examining the possibilities of a clinical trial.
If you would like to be informed about further project progress in the future, we will be happy to add you to our database and keep you up to date by e-mail in the event of new developments.
Please sign up for this at this link.
Donation account
In order to advance the research project as well as to be able to prepare a clinical study, financial donations are welcome. If you would like to support the "ThaXonian" project, we would be pleased to receive your donation.
Förderverein des Helmholtz-Zentrums Dresden-Rossendorf e. V.
Ostsächsische Sparkasse Dresden
IBAN: DE19 8505 0300 0221 2684 99
Payment reference: ThaXonian
If you need a donation receipt, please email to foerderverein@hzdr.de with "Donation Receipt" in the subject line and provide us with your name and address.
We sincerely thank all supporters, among others the ALS-Hilfe-Bayern e.V. .
Contact
You can reach the Thaxonian team at: thaxonian-info@hzdr.de
Further Information
Press Response
Oiger
Notiulti
Scienmag- Science Magazine
Medical Xpress
Das DeutscheGesundheitsPortal
pro-physik.de
ALS news today
Physics World
