TY - JOUR
T1 - Exposure to extremely low-frequency (50 Hz) electromagnetic fields enhances adult hippocampal neurogenesis in C57BL/6 mice.
AU - Leone, Lucia
AU - Cuccurazzu, Bruna
AU - Podda, Maria Vittoria
AU - Piacentini, Roberto
AU - Riccardi, Elisa
AU - Ripoli, Cristian
AU - Azzena, Gian Battista
AU - Grassi, Claudio
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - Introduction: Throughout life, new neurons are continuously generated
in the hippocampus, which is therefore a major site of structural plasticity in the adult brain. We recently demonstrated that extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELFEFs) promote the neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells in vitro by up-regulating Cav1-channel
activity.
Objectives: Aim of our study was to determine whether 50 Hz/1mT ELFEF
stimulation also affects adult hippocampal neurogenesis in vivo, and if
so, to identify the molecular mechanisms underlying this action, and its functional impact on synaptic plasticity.
Methods: In adult hippocampus of ELFEF- and sham-exposed mice we performed immunoflourescence, molecular and electrophysiological analyses.
Results: ELFEF exposure (1 to 7 h/day for 7 days) significantly enhanced
neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus (DG) of adult mice, as documented by increased numbers of cells double-labeled for 5-bromo-deoxyuridine(BrdU) and doublecortin. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of hippocampal extracts revealed significant ELFEF exposure-induced increases in the transcription of pro-neuronal genes (Mash1, NeuroD2, Hes1) and genes encoding Cav1.2 channel alpha1C subunits. Increased expression of NeuroD1, NeuroD2 and Cav1 channels was also documented by Western blot analysis. Immunofluorescence assays showed that, 30 days after ELFEF
stimulation, roughly half of the newly generated immature neurons had survived and become mature dentate granule cells (as shown by their immunoreactivity for both BrdU and NeuN) and were integrated
into the granule cell layer of the DG. Electrophysiological experiments demonstrated that the new mature neurons influenced hippocampal synaptic plasticity, as reflected by increased long-term potentiation.
Conclusions: Our findings show that ELFEF exposure can be an effective
tool for increasing in vivo neurogenesis, and they could lead to the
development of novel therapeutic approaches in regenerative medicine.
AB - Introduction: Throughout life, new neurons are continuously generated
in the hippocampus, which is therefore a major site of structural plasticity in the adult brain. We recently demonstrated that extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELFEFs) promote the neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells in vitro by up-regulating Cav1-channel
activity.
Objectives: Aim of our study was to determine whether 50 Hz/1mT ELFEF
stimulation also affects adult hippocampal neurogenesis in vivo, and if
so, to identify the molecular mechanisms underlying this action, and its functional impact on synaptic plasticity.
Methods: In adult hippocampus of ELFEF- and sham-exposed mice we performed immunoflourescence, molecular and electrophysiological analyses.
Results: ELFEF exposure (1 to 7 h/day for 7 days) significantly enhanced
neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus (DG) of adult mice, as documented by increased numbers of cells double-labeled for 5-bromo-deoxyuridine(BrdU) and doublecortin. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of hippocampal extracts revealed significant ELFEF exposure-induced increases in the transcription of pro-neuronal genes (Mash1, NeuroD2, Hes1) and genes encoding Cav1.2 channel alpha1C subunits. Increased expression of NeuroD1, NeuroD2 and Cav1 channels was also documented by Western blot analysis. Immunofluorescence assays showed that, 30 days after ELFEF
stimulation, roughly half of the newly generated immature neurons had survived and become mature dentate granule cells (as shown by their immunoreactivity for both BrdU and NeuN) and were integrated
into the granule cell layer of the DG. Electrophysiological experiments demonstrated that the new mature neurons influenced hippocampal synaptic plasticity, as reflected by increased long-term potentiation.
Conclusions: Our findings show that ELFEF exposure can be an effective
tool for increasing in vivo neurogenesis, and they could lead to the
development of novel therapeutic approaches in regenerative medicine.
KW - Cav1 channels
KW - Dentate gyrus
KW - ELFEFs
KW - Neural Stem Cells
KW - Cav1 channels
KW - Dentate gyrus
KW - ELFEFs
KW - Neural Stem Cells
UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10807/3336
M3 - Conference article
SN - 1872-8952
SP - S162-S162
JO - Clinical Neurophysiology
JF - Clinical Neurophysiology
T2 - 14th European Congress on Clinical Neurophysiology
Y2 - 21 June 2011 through 24 June 2011
ER -