Charles Sternberg, Associate Editor04.27.23
A team of researchers from NYU Tandon School of Engineering and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has developed an electrical "pill" that could potentially help regulate people's appetites without the use of drugs or invasive procedures.
The pill, named FLASH, delivers electrical impulses to the stomach lining, triggering the brain to modulate gut hormones related to hunger.
In pig trials, the researchers were able to affect the release of ghrelin, an appetite hormone, using FLASH through a single oral administration, as per a study published in Science Robotics. FLASH is the first ingestible electronic device that engages with the gut to modulate hormones that regulate brain activity on the gut-brain axis, according to Khalil Ramadi, assistant professor of bioengineering at NYU Tandon and co-first and co-corresponding author of the study.
FLASH's design is unique, featuring a surface that mimics the water-wicking skin of a thorny devil lizard. This innovative feature shields the capsule from degradation and enables it to operate effectively within the highly wet environment of the gastrointestinal tract. According to Giovanni Traverso, associate professor in the department of mechanical engineering at MIT, FLASH represents a breakthrough for several reasons. Firstly, it proves that pills can be designed to deliver electrical impulses to regulate physiology instead of drugs. Secondly, the surface design enables sturdy electrical connections in the body.
Initial research demonstrates FLASH's efficacy in increasing hunger, making it potentially therapeutic for eating disorders such as anorexia and Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). But, by adjusting the type and location of stimulation, the technology may also reduce overall hunger and provide treatment for metabolic disorders like obesity or diabetes. The research team is currently conducting additional preclinical testing with the goal of beginning human trials with an advanced prototype within 5 years.
Ramadi's body of work advances the field of electrical ingestibles to treat diseases. Earlier this year, he and his colleagues announced successful trials of an electromagnetic "pill" that provides a window into the gastrointestinal tract using MRI machine-like technology. In 2021, he presented his work on electronic ingestibles as a TED Fellow.
Ramadi is the co-first and co-corresponding author on the paper published in Science Robotics. Along with Traverso, his other MIT collaborators on the research are: James C. McRae, George Selsing, Arnold Su, Rafael Fernandes, Maela Hickling, Brandon Rios, Sahab Babaee, Seokkee Min, Declan Gwynne, Neil Xi-Juna Jia, Aleyah Aragon, Keiko Ishida, Johannes Kuosmanen, Josh Jenkins, Alison Hayward and Ken Kamrin.
The pill, named FLASH, delivers electrical impulses to the stomach lining, triggering the brain to modulate gut hormones related to hunger.
In pig trials, the researchers were able to affect the release of ghrelin, an appetite hormone, using FLASH through a single oral administration, as per a study published in Science Robotics. FLASH is the first ingestible electronic device that engages with the gut to modulate hormones that regulate brain activity on the gut-brain axis, according to Khalil Ramadi, assistant professor of bioengineering at NYU Tandon and co-first and co-corresponding author of the study.
Treating Eating & Metabolism Disorders
FLASH can potentially treat a host of disorders related to metabolism and eating without the use of pharmaceuticals or surgery. It has no known side effects, unlike other appetite stimulants and anti-nausea medications that can produce unwanted side effects. FLASH overcomes the drawbacks of conventional methods used to boost appetite, such as deep brain stimulation and vagus nerve stimulation, which involve invasive surgical procedures.FLASH's design is unique, featuring a surface that mimics the water-wicking skin of a thorny devil lizard. This innovative feature shields the capsule from degradation and enables it to operate effectively within the highly wet environment of the gastrointestinal tract. According to Giovanni Traverso, associate professor in the department of mechanical engineering at MIT, FLASH represents a breakthrough for several reasons. Firstly, it proves that pills can be designed to deliver electrical impulses to regulate physiology instead of drugs. Secondly, the surface design enables sturdy electrical connections in the body.
Initial research demonstrates FLASH's efficacy in increasing hunger, making it potentially therapeutic for eating disorders such as anorexia and Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). But, by adjusting the type and location of stimulation, the technology may also reduce overall hunger and provide treatment for metabolic disorders like obesity or diabetes. The research team is currently conducting additional preclinical testing with the goal of beginning human trials with an advanced prototype within 5 years.
Ramadi's body of work advances the field of electrical ingestibles to treat diseases. Earlier this year, he and his colleagues announced successful trials of an electromagnetic "pill" that provides a window into the gastrointestinal tract using MRI machine-like technology. In 2021, he presented his work on electronic ingestibles as a TED Fellow.
Ramadi is the co-first and co-corresponding author on the paper published in Science Robotics. Along with Traverso, his other MIT collaborators on the research are: James C. McRae, George Selsing, Arnold Su, Rafael Fernandes, Maela Hickling, Brandon Rios, Sahab Babaee, Seokkee Min, Declan Gwynne, Neil Xi-Juna Jia, Aleyah Aragon, Keiko Ishida, Johannes Kuosmanen, Josh Jenkins, Alison Hayward and Ken Kamrin.