Effect of weak combined static and extremely low-frequency alternating magnetic fields on spatial memory and brain amyloid-β in two animal models of Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Overview

This study investigates the subchronic effects of a weak combined magnetic field (MF), which involves a static component (42 µT) and an alternating MF (0.08 µT) composed of two frequencies (4.38 and 4.88 Hz). The research focuses on two types of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) animal models: olfactory bulbectomized (OBE) mice and transgenic Tg (APPswe, PSEN1) mice.

Findings

• The spatial memory of the AD models was evaluated using a Morris water maze.
• Aβ levels were quantified in the cortex and hippocampus of the mice, and the number and size of amyloid plaques were assessed through thioflavin S staining in transgenic animals.
• Exposure to MFs over 10 days led to a decrease in Aβ levels in OBE mice and a reduction in the number and size of Aβ plaques in the cortex and hippocampus of Tg mice.
• Interestingly, only the Tg mice showed improvements in memory, while the OBE models did not display significant memory enhancement.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that MFs could potentially serve as a preventive treatment for Aβ accumulation and associated memory issues in early-stage neuronal degeneration linked to AD and other amyloid protein related diseases.