Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Stimulation (ELF-EMS) Improves Neurological Outcome and Reduces Microglial Reactivity in a Rodent Model of Global Transient Stroke.

PAPER pubmed International journal of molecular sciences 2023 Animal study Effect: benefit Evidence: Low

Read original paper → DOI: 10.3390/ijms241311117 PMID: 37446295 Evidence Lab

Abstract

Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic stimulation (ELF-EMS) was demonstrated to be significantly beneficial in rodent models of permanent stroke. The mechanism involved enhanced cerebrovascular perfusion and endothelial cell nitric oxide production. However, the possible effect on the neuroinflammatory response and its efficacy in reperfusion stroke models remains unclear. To evaluate ELF-EMS effectiveness and possible immunomodulatory response, we studied neurological outcome, behavior, neuronal survival, and glial reactivity in a rodent model of global transient stroke treated with 13.5 mT/60 Hz. Next, we studied microglial cells migration and, in organotypic hippocampal brain slices, we assessed neuronal survival and microglia reactivity. ELF-EMS improved the neurological score and behavior in the ischemia-reperfusion model. It also improved neuronal survival and decreased glia reactivity in the hippocampus, with microglia showing the first signs of treatment effect. In vitro ELF-EMS decreased (Lipopolysaccharide) LPS and ATP-induced microglia migration in both scratch and transwell assay. Additionally, in hippocampal brain slices, reduced microglial reactivity, improved neuronal survival, and modulation of inflammation-related markers was observed. Our study is the first to show that an EMF treatment has a direct impact on microglial migration. Furthermore, ELF-EMS has beneficial effects in an ischemia/reperfusion model, which indicates that this treatment has clinical potential as a new treatment against ischemic stroke.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Animal study

Effect direction

benefit

Population

Rodents (global transient stroke / ischemia-reperfusion model); microglial cells and organotypic hippocampal brain slices (in vitro/ex vivo)

Sample size

—

Exposure

ELF other · 6.0E-5 MHz

Evidence strength

Low

Confidence: 78% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

In a rodent global transient (ischemia-reperfusion) stroke model treated with 13.5 mT/60 Hz ELF-EMS, neurological score and behavior improved, neuronal survival increased, and glial reactivity decreased in the hippocampus. In vitro, ELF-EMS decreased LPS- and ATP-induced microglia migration, and in organotypic hippocampal slices it reduced microglial reactivity, improved neuronal survival, and modulated inflammation-related markers.

Outcomes measured

Neurological score
Behavior
Neuronal survival
Glial reactivity
Microglial migration (scratch and transwell assays)
Inflammation-related markers (modulation)

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Exposure duration not reported in abstract
Primarily preclinical evidence (rodent model and in vitro/ex vivo assays); clinical outcomes not assessed

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF",
        "source": "other",
        "frequency_mhz": 6.00000000000000015200514458246772164784488268196582794189453125e-5,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Rodents (global transient stroke / ischemia-reperfusion model); microglial cells and organotypic hippocampal brain slices (in vitro/ex vivo)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Neurological score",
        "Behavior",
        "Neuronal survival",
        "Glial reactivity",
        "Microglial migration (scratch and transwell assays)",
        "Inflammation-related markers (modulation)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In a rodent global transient (ischemia-reperfusion) stroke model treated with 13.5 mT/60 Hz ELF-EMS, neurological score and behavior improved, neuronal survival increased, and glial reactivity decreased in the hippocampus. In vitro, ELF-EMS decreased LPS- and ATP-induced microglia migration, and in organotypic hippocampal slices it reduced microglial reactivity, improved neuronal survival, and modulated inflammation-related markers.",
    "effect_direction": "benefit",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not reported in abstract",
        "Exposure duration not reported in abstract",
        "Primarily preclinical evidence (rodent model and in vitro/ex vivo assays); clinical outcomes not assessed"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "extremely low-frequency",
        "ELF-EMS",
        "60 Hz",
        "13.5 mT",
        "stroke",
        "ischemia-reperfusion",
        "global transient stroke",
        "microglia",
        "microglial migration",
        "glial reactivity",
        "neuronal survival",
        "neuroinflammation",
        "hippocampus"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

Comments

No comments yet.