To investigate the therapeutical effect of a 50 Hz magnetic field on learning and memory in a rat model for Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's disease was simulated via an injection with beta-amyloid protein in the ventricular system of the brain. According to the authors, the rat model for Alzheimer's disease needs 14 days to establish.
Male rats were randomly assigned to six experimental groups (n=7, respectively): 1) control group, 2) saline solution injection on day 0, 3) beta-amyloid protein injection on day 0, 4) magnetic field exposure from day 14 to 28, 5) beta-amyloid protein injection on day 0 + magnetic field exposure from day 0 to 14 (to examine if magnetic field exposure could disrupt the establishment of the disease) and 6) beta-amyloid protein injection on day 0 + magnetic field exposure from day 14-28 (to examine if magnetic field exposure could have a therapeutic effect in already developed symptoms).
Morris water maze was trained and tested on day 14 (groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) and on day 28 (groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 6).
Remark EMF-Portal: not sure how groups 1 and 2 were handled (cage control? sham exposure?)
| Exposure | Parameters |
|---|---|
|
Exposure 1:
50 Hz
Exposure duration:
1 hour/day for 14 consecutive days
|
|
| Frequency | 50 Hz |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Waveform |
|
| Exposure duration | 1 hour/day for 14 consecutive days |
| Exposure source |
|
|---|---|
| Chamber | rats were restrained in a plastic box (40×60×200 mm) during exposure |
| Setup | field was generated by an electromagnet with the dimensions of 220×156×100 mm; coils with a diameter of 1300 mm (?) consisted of copper wire; two coils were were placed coaxially with a distance of 160 mm |
| Measurand | Value | Type | Method | Mass | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| magnetic flux density | 10 mT | mean | measured | - | - |
Rats with beta-amyloid protein injection (group 3) showed significantly impaired learning and memory abilities compared to the control group thus showing the effectiveness of the rat model. In contrast, magnetic field exposed rats did not show these impairments: No significant differences were found between control rats (group 1), saline solution injection (group 2) and magnetic field exposed rats (groups 4, 5, 6). Swimming speed was similar in all groups which showed that motor function was not affected in any of the groups.
The authors conclude that a 50 Hz magnetic field could disrupt the establishment of disease symptoms and could have a therapeutic effect in a rat model for Alzheimer's disease.
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