Effects of Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields on Neurogenesis and Cognitive Behavior in an Experimental Model of Hippocampal Injury. (12th November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sakhaie, Mohammad Hassan; Soleimani, Mansoureh; Pourheydar, Bagher; Majd, Zahra; Atefimanesh, Pezhman; Asl, Sara Soleimani; Mehdizadeh, Mehdi
• Other Names: Klivényi Péter Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Behavioural neurology. Volume 2017(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-11-12
• Subjects: Neuropsychology -- Periodicals; Neuropsychiatry -- Periodicals; Cognitive neuroscience -- Periodicals; 616.8005
• DOI: 10.1155/2017/9194261
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0953-4180

Abstract

Abstract : Exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields may induce constant modulation in neuronal plasticity. In recent years, tremendous efforts have been made to design a suitable strategy for enhancing adult neurogenesis, which seems to be deterred due to brain senescence and several neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we evaluated the effects of ELF-EMF on neurogenesis and memory, following treatment with trimethyltin chloride (TMT) as a neurotoxicant. The mice in all groups (n = 56 ) were injected with BrdU during the experiment for seven consecutive days to label newborn cells. Spatial memory was assessed by the Morris water maze (MWM) test. By the end of the experiment, neurogenesis and neuronal differentiation were assessed in the hippocampus, using immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. Based on the findings, exposure to ELF-EMF enhanced spatial learning and memory in the MWM test. ELF-EMF exposure significantly enhanced the number of BrdU+ and NeuN+ cells in the dentate gyrus of adult mice (P < 0.001 andP < 0.05, resp.). Western blot analysis revealed significant upregulation of NeuroD2 in ELF-EMF-exposed mice compared to the TMT-treated group (P < 0.05 ). These findings suggest that ELF-EMF might have clinical implications for the improvement of neurodegenerative processes and could help develop a novel therapeutic approach in regenerative medicine.