Theta Frequency Electromagnetic Stimulation Enhances Functional Recovery after Stroke

作者：Naohiko Okabe, Mary Hovanesyan, Srbui Azarapetian, Weiye Dai, Batsheva Weisinger, Ana Parabucki, Shira Reznik Balter, Esther Shohami, Yaron Segal, S. Thomas Carmichael · 发表于：Research Square · 年份：2023 · DOI：10.21203/rs.3.rs-3204948/v1 · 研究领域：Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies、EEG and Brain-Computer Interfaces、Neuroscience and Neural Engineering

Abstract Extremely low-frequency, low-intensity electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) therapy is a non-invasive brain stimulation method that can modulate neuroprotection and neuroplasticity. ELF-EMF was recently shown to enhance recovery in human stroke in a small pilot clinical trial (NCT04039178). ELF-EMFs encompass a wide range of frequencies, typically ranging from 1 to 100 Hz, and their effects can vary depending on the specific frequency employed. However, whether and to what extent the effectiveness of ELF-EMFs depends on the frequency remains unclear. In the present study, we aimed to assess the efficacy of different frequency-intensity protocols of ELF-EMF in promoting functional recovery in a mouse cortical stroke model with treatment initiated four days after the stroke, employing a series of motor behavior tests. Our findings demonstrate that a theta-frequency ELF-EMF (5 Hz) effectively enhances functional recovery in a reach-to-grasp task, whereas neither gamma-frequency (40 Hz) nor combination frequency (5-16-40 Hz) ELF-EMFs induce a significant effect. Importantly, our histological analysis reveals that none of the ELF-EMF protocols employed in our study affect infarct volume, inflammatory or glial activation, suggesting that the observed beneficial effects may be mediated through non-neuroprotective mechanisms. Our data indicate that ELF-EMFs have an influence on functional recovery after stroke, and this effect is contingent upon the specific frequency used. These...