Effect of Epidural Electrical Stimulation and Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Rats With Diffuse Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of epidural electrical stimulation (EES) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on motor recovery and brain activity in a rat model of diffuse traumatic brain injury (TBI) compared to the control group.MethodsThirty rats weighing 270-285 g with diffuse TBI with 45 kg/cm2 using a weight-drop model were assigned to one of three groups: the EES group (ES) (anodal electrical stimulation at 50 Hz), the rTMS group (MS) (magnetic stimulation at 10 Hz, 3-second stimulation with 6-second intervals, 4,000 total stimulations per day), and the sham-treated control group (sham) (no stimulation). They were pre-trained to perform a single-pellet reaching task (SPRT) and a rotarod test (RRT) for 14 days. Diffuse TBI was then induced and an electrode was implanted over the dominant motor cortex. The changes in SPRT success rate, RRT performance time rate and the expression of c-Fos after two weeks of EES or rTMS were tracked.ResultsSPRT improved significantly from day 8 to day 12 in the ES group and from day 4 to day 14 in the MS group (p<0.05) compared to the sham group. RRT improved significantly from day 6 to day 11 in ES and from day 4 to day 9 in MS compared to the sham group. The ES and MS groups showed increased expression of c-Fos in the cerebral cortex compared to the sham group.ConclusionES or MS in a rat model of diffuse TBI can be used to enhance motor recovery and brain activity.

Effect of Intermediate-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Recovery following Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats

“…In the present study, neurobehavioral scores deteriorated following TBI. Nevertheless, we observed recuperation in the T + TMS group, in accordance with the findings of previous reports, which have indicated that functional and morphological changes occur after the application of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields [ 56 ], high-frequency rTMS [ 30 , 31 ], or repetitive transcranial direct current stimulation in a rat model of stroke [ 57 ]. Furthermore, the effect of magnetic fields in the reorganization of altered neural pathways is well-documented [ 58 , 59 ].…”

“…Yoon et al [ 32 ] observed an antiapoptotic effect around the perilesional area when high-frequency rTMS (10 Hz) was implemented starting 4 days after TBI in adult rats, although no functional improvements were observed. In contrast, other researchers have observed behavioral improvements in adult [ 30 ] and immature [ 31 ] rats subjected to TBI and treated with high-frequency rTMS (10 and 20 Hz, resp.) initiated at 1 day after TBI or 9 days after TBI, respectively.…”

“…Although some of these studies have been cited in a recent review [ 29 ], no reports have described the use of rTMS immediately following TBI, the time at which neuroprotective processes are most likely to occur. Furthermore, few reports have discussed the use of rTMS in animal models and these studies have all used high-frequency rTMS [ 30 – 32 ]. Yoon et al [ 32 ] observed an antiapoptotic effect around the perilesional area when high-frequency rTMS (10 Hz) was implemented starting 4 days after TBI in adult rats, although no functional improvements were observed.…”

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in traumatic brain injury: Evidence from animal and human studies

“…The effects of epidural electrical stimulation (EES) and rTMS on motor recovery and brain activity were explored in a model of diffuse TBI (Yoon et al, 2015a). The rats were pre-trained to perform a singlepellet reaching task (SPRT) and a rotarod test (RRT) for 14 days.…”

Magnetic Stimulation in Diagnosis and Treatment of Diseases and Injuries of the Nervous System

“…В них показан эффект применения ТМС в виде уменьшения апоптоза, увеличения нейрональной активности и повышения экспрессии маркеров нейропластичности [28][29][30]. Определенную настороженность вызывает описание индуцированных ТМС эпилептических приступов при лечении последствий ЧМТ, однако указывается, что данные приступы возникают при использовании высокочастотной стимуляции (>5 Гц), в то же время применение низкочастотной стимуляции считается безопасной методикой [31]. Значимое клиническое улучшение описано при применении ТМС у пациентов с последствиями легкой ЧМТ.…”