Effects of ELF EMF on Neurogenesis and Cognitive Behavior in an Experimental Model of Hippocampal Injury

Abstract

Effects of ELF EMF on Neurogenesis and Cognitive Behavior in an Experimental Model of Hippocampal Injury Sakhaie MH, Soleimani M, Pourheydar B, Majd Z, Atefimanesh P, Asl SS, Mehdizadeh M. Effects of Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields on Neurogenesis and Cognitive Behavior in an Experimental Model of Hippocampal Injury. Behav Neurol. 2017;2017:9194261. doi: 10.1155/2017/9194261. 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 and P < 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. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In a TMT-induced hippocampal injury mouse model, ELF-EMF exposure was associated with improved spatial learning and memory in the Morris water maze. ELF-EMF exposure increased BrdU+ and NeuN+ cell counts in the dentate gyrus and upregulated NeuroD2 compared with the TMT-treated group.

Outcomes measured

• Spatial learning and memory (Morris water maze)
• Hippocampal neurogenesis (BrdU+ cells)
• Neuronal differentiation (NeuN+ cells)
• NeuroD2 protein expression (Western blot)

Limitations

• ELF-EMF exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, field strength, duration) not reported in the provided abstract
• Animal model; generalizability to humans not established
• Comparator groups and randomization/blinding details not described in the provided abstract

Suggested hubs

• animal-studies (0.9)
  Experimental mouse model assessing ELF-EMF effects on neurogenesis and cognition.

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    "population": "Adult mice with trimethyltin chloride (TMT)-induced hippocampal injury",
    "sample_size": 56,
    "outcomes": [
        "Spatial learning and memory (Morris water maze)",
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    "main_findings": "In a TMT-induced hippocampal injury mouse model, ELF-EMF exposure was associated with improved spatial learning and memory in the Morris water maze. ELF-EMF exposure increased BrdU+ and NeuN+ cell counts in the dentate gyrus and upregulated NeuroD2 compared with the TMT-treated group.",
    "effect_direction": "benefit",
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        "Comparator groups and randomization/blinding details not described in the provided abstract"
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    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
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