Long-term treatment with electromagnetic fields in an animal model of Parkinson´s disease

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease that causes motor and non-motor alterations induced by the loss of neurons of substance nigra pars compacta (SNc) In clinical therapy, the use of pharmacological treatments to improve symptoms is commonly used. Recently, non-pharmacological techniques are being developed. Such is the case for Electromagnetic Field Stimulation (EMF). Although this treatment has already been used in PD patients, its underlying therapeutic mechanism remains unclear. Studies in animal models of PD have been performed but only for short periods of stimulation with EMF. This study aimed to investigate motor behavior in hemiparkinsonian Wistar rats treated with EMF of 60 Hz (2.4 mT) 2 hours daily for six months. Behavioral evaluations such as apomorphine-induced rotation, open field test, elevated cross maze, and balance beam were performed monthly. Also, immunoreactive dopaminergic neurons were counted, and their degree of loss was estimated. The main results showed that lesioned animals treated with EMF, did not differ in weight gain compared to control animals. Furthermore, magnetic treatment reduced turning behavior and improved balance, without significant changes in the survival of SNc dopaminergic neurons. These results support the use of EMF as an alternative therapy that could help to improve the motor symptoms of PD.