P306 Calcium imaging reveals glial involvement in transcranial direct current stimulation-induced plasticity in mouse brain. Issue 3 (March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Monai, H.; Ohkura, M.; Tanaka, M.; Oe, Y.; Konno, A.; Hirai, H.; Mikoshiba, K.; Itohara, S.; Nakai, J.; Iwai, Y.; Hirase, H.
• Is Part Of: Clinical neurophysiology. Volume 128:Issue 3(2017:Mar.)
• Page Start: e159
• Page End: e160
• Publication Date: 2017-03
• Subjects: Neurophysiology -- Periodicals; Electroencephalography -- Periodicals; Electromyography -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2016.10.413
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1388-2457

Abstract

Abstract : Transcranical direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a treatment known to ameliorate various neurological conditions and enhance memory and cognition in humans. tDCS has gained traction for its potential therapeutic value; however, little is known about its mechanism of action. Using a transgenic mouse expressing G-CaMP7 in astrocytes and a subpopulation of excitatory neurons, we find that tDCS induces large-amplitude astrocytic Ca 2+ surges across the entire cortex with no obvious changes in the local field potential. Moreover, sensory evoked cortical responses are enhanced after tDCS. These enhancements are dependent on the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor (A1AR) and are not observed in IP3 R2 (inositol trisphosphate receptor type 2) knockout mice, in which astrocytic Ca2+ surges are absent. Together, we propose that tDCS changes the metaplasticity of the cortex through astrocytic Ca2 + /IP3 signalling. Moreover, the stimulation parameters were found to be sufficient to alleviate a mouse model of depression by chronic restraint stress.