Comparison of ELF-EMFs stimulation with current stimulation on the regulation of LTP of SC-CA1 synapses in young rat hippocampus

Authors: Yu Zheng, Wenjun Zhao, Xiaoxu Ma, Lei Dong, Lei Tian, Mei Zhou

Year: 2021 May 10

Category: Neuroscience

Journal: Int J Radiat Biol

DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2021.1928781

URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33970763/

Abstract

Overview

Long-term potentiation (LTP) serves as a crucial functional marker in the study of synaptic plasticity. The investigation explores the effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) and currents on LTP regulation in young rat hippocampus.

New Method

  • A new method for calculating the current values induced by ELF-EMFs is proposed.
  • LTP regulation is compared using ELF-EMFs stimulation (100 Hz/2 mT and 200 Hz/2 mT) and current stimulation (0.1 μA and 0.2 μA) following theta-burst or high-frequency stimulation (TBS/HFS).

Findings

  • LTP following ELF-EMFs and μA current regulation was found to be significantly reduced compared to controls.
  • 100 Hz/2 mT ELF-EMFs had a stronger regulatory effect on LTP than 200 Hz/2 mT, and the effects of 0.1 μA current were similar to those of 100 Hz/2 mT ELF-EMFs.
  • The model developed to calculate induced currents in rat brain slices by ELF-EMFs proved more accurate than previous methods.

Conclusion

Both ELF-EMFs and current stimulations were demonstrated to reduce LTP, yet their effects were not identical. This suggests that the regulatory effects of ELF-EMFs are not solely due to the induced currents. The distinct magnetic mechanism of ELF-EMFs likely plays an essential role, mentioning a possible health risk connection with ELF-EMFs exposure.

ELF-EMFs LTP synaptic plasticity hippocampus rat model electromagnetic fields neurobiology
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