Early transcranial direct current stimulation treatment exerts neuroprotective effects on 6-OHDA-induced Parkinsonism in rats
Year: 2020
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been proven to be able to modulate motor cortical plasticity might have potential as an alternative, adjunctive therapy for Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the efficacy of tDCS in PD is still uncertain. A disease animal model may be useful to clarify the existence of a treatment effect and to explore an effective therapeutic strategy using tDCS protocols. OBJECTIVE: The current study was designed to identify the comprehensive therapeutic effects of tDCS in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned PD rats. METHODS: Following early and long-term tDCS application (starting 24 h after PD lesion, 300 μA anodal tDCS, 20 min/day, 5 days/week) in awake PD animals for a total of 4 weeks, the effects of tDCS on motor and non-motor behaviors as well as dopaminergic neuron degeneration levels, were identified. RESULTS: We found that the 4-week tDCS intervention significantly alleviated 6-OHDA-induced motor deficits in locomotor activity, akinesia, gait pattern and anxiety-like behavior, but not in apomorphine-induced rotations, recognition memory and depression-like behavior. Immunohistochemically, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive neurons in the substantia nigra were significantly preserved in the tDCS intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that early and long-term tDCS could exert neuroprotective effects and reduce the aggravation of motor dysfunctions in a 6-OHDA-induced PD rat model. Furthermore, this preclinical model may enhance the promising possibility of the potential use of tDCS and serve as a translational platform to further identify the therapeutic mechanism of tDCS for PD or other neurological disorders.
Source: Brain stimulation
Institutions: Anhui Medical University, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Chang Gung University, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei Medical University, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard University, National Central University, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Neurology
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,750
Awards: Exploring Neuromodulation Effects of Low Intensity Non-Thermal Transcranial Focused Ultrasound on Motor Circuits in Animals and Humans, Brain and Mind Technology in Emotion: Investigation of Neuropsychiatric Traits with Electrophysiology, Brain Imaging, Artificial Intelligence and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in the Domains of Diagnosis, Modulation and Treatment., G424397077, Pre-Clinical Trial Evaluation of Ultrasound Neurotrophic Gene Delivery Therapy in Parkinson’S Disease( II ), G4262827933, G4332750596, G4462132238, Deciphering the Neuromodulation and Therapeutic Effects of Novel Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (Tacs) in Traumatic Brain Injury Animal Model, G5393528396, G7684027352, Investigation of Neural Mechanisms of Attention, Working Memory and Cognitive Control and Theory Construction( I )
OpenAlex ID: W3005034440