Study of molecular mechanism involved in neuronal plasticity induced by magnetic stimulation in cultured hippocampal neurons

Abstract

Although a large number of investigations have shown that transcranial magnetic stimulation, a non-invasive method of brain stimulation with minimal side effects, is able to induce neuronal synaptic plastic change, very few studies have examined the molecular mechanisms of magnetic stimulation involved in synaptic plasticity. Since it is well known that neurotrophins and their receptors regulate synaptic strength and thereby mediate plasticity, in this study we have investigated the effects of low-frequency (1 Hz) magnetic stimulation, at different intensities, on the activation of neurotrophic factors receptors and relative intracellular pathways in primary cultures of hippocampal neurons. The results showed that one single exposure to magnetic stimulation, low-frequency and 1.55 tesla intensity, activates Glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor receptor (RET), Brain-derived neurotrophic factor receptor (TrkB), Fibroblasts growth factor 2 receptor 1 (FGFR1) and PI3K/Akt pathway in primary cultures of hippocampal neurons after only a short time (5 minutes). These data may explain, at least in part, the mechanism through which magnetic stimulation enhances synaptic plasticity. Our current studies are characterizing the mechanism of neurotrophic factor receptor activation following magnetic stimulation, including the role of neurotransmitters release.