Scientists in Erlangen, Germany have developed a new wireless brain therapy that helped mice with Parkinson’s disease to move better. The therapy uses very small magnetic particles instead of wires or electrodes, which are usually needed for deep brain stimulation, a common treatment for Parkinson’s disease.

Researchers designed this new method because many people do not want brain surgery to have wires and devices put into their heads. Instead, they injected magnetic particles into a part of the brain that controls movement. When they used a magnet from outside the head, the particles stimulated the brain cells naturally.

After this treatment, mice with Parkinson’s disease showed much better movement. The scientists say this technology might someday help people, but first it needs more tests to see if it is safe and works in humans.