[P04.141] rTMS, Stem Cells and Synaptic Plasticity

Domenica Crupi, New York, NY, Hoau-Yan Wang, M. Felice Ghilardi, Angelo Quartarone, Messina, Italy, Fortunato Battaglia, New York

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on neuronal plasticity in rodents. BACKGROUND: Long-term potentiation (LTP) phenomena at excitatory synapses are the bases of plasticity and recovery of function after neuronal injuries and degeneration. It has been proposed that rTMS might enhance processes relevant to cognitive and sensorimotor functions. These effects may be promoted through the modulation N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor composition and function, neurogenesis and LTP. DESIGN/METHODS: Following a 5-day rTMS treatment (15 Hz stimulation at 50% stimulator output intensity with a rodent coil), we tested neocortical and hippocampal LTP (Dentate Gyrus-DG, the Shaffer Collateral- CA1 pathway, prefrontal cortex and motor cortex), DG stem cell proliferation and NMDAR composition and function in brain from chronic stimulated- and sham-treated mice. RESULTS: rTMS treatment induced an increase in the amount of LTP all the tested brain areas, an increase in the number of new-generated neurons and an increase of NMDA/glycine-induced NMDA receptor activation without affect on receptor assembly and interaction with PSD-95. CONCLUSIONS/RELEVANCE: We conclude that chronic rTMS treatment in rodents stimulates proliferation of newly generated neurons in DG and induces an increase of LTP in neurogenic and non- neurogenic areas. Biochemical evidence supports an enhanced NMDAR function that may underlie these plastic changes. These results have important implications for neurorehabilitation and regenerative strategies.
Category - Neural Repair/Rehabilitation
SubCategory - Basic Science: Cell Transplantation/Stem Cells

Wednesday, May 2, 2007 7:00 AM

Poster Sessions: Neural Repair / Rehabilitation (7:00 AM-10:00 AM)

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