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Deep Brain Magnetic Stimulation Promotes Neurogenesis and Restores Cholinergic Activity in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease.

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Zhen J, Qian Y, Fu J, Su R, An H, Wang W , Zheng Y, Wang X. · 2017

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Targeted magnetic field therapy improved memory and brain cell growth in Alzheimer's mice, showing therapeutic potential distinct from everyday EMF concerns.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers tested deep brain magnetic stimulation (a targeted magnetic field therapy) on mice genetically engineered to develop Alzheimer's disease. They found that the magnetic treatment improved the mice's learning and memory, promoted growth of new brain cells in the memory center, and restored important brain chemicals needed for cognitive function. This suggests magnetic field therapy might help protect against Alzheimer's-related brain damage.

Why This Matters

This study adds to growing evidence that controlled magnetic field exposure can have therapeutic benefits for brain health. While most EMF research focuses on potential harms from everyday exposures, this work demonstrates that precisely applied magnetic fields can actually stimulate beneficial brain processes like neurogenesis and neurotransmitter function. The research used deep brain magnetic stimulation, which delivers focused magnetic pulses directly to specific brain regions - a very different scenario from the widespread, chronic EMF exposure we get from phones and wireless devices. What this means for you: the science shows magnetic fields can both harm and heal, depending on the dose, duration, and targeting. This therapeutic research doesn't negate concerns about chronic low-level EMF exposure, but it does highlight the importance of understanding how different types of magnetic field exposure affect our biology.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Study Details

In this study, we investigated the effect of DMS on spatial learning and memory functions, neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus (DG), as well as expression and activity of the cholinergic system in a transgenic mouse model of AD (5XFAD).

Administration of DMS effectively improved performance in spatial learning and memory of 5XFAD mice....

These findings indicate that DMS may be a promising noninvasive tool for treatment and prevention of AD cognitive impairment by promoting neurogenesis and enhancing cholinergic system function.

Cite This Study
Zhen J, Qian Y, Fu J, Su R, An H, Wang W , Zheng Y, Wang X. (2017). Deep Brain Magnetic Stimulation Promotes Neurogenesis and Restores Cholinergic Activity in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Front Neural Circuits. 11:48, 2017.
Show BibTeX
@article{j_2017_deep_brain_magnetic_stimulation_1782,
  author = {Zhen J and Qian Y and Fu J and Su R and An H and Wang W  and Zheng Y and Wang X.},
  title = {Deep Brain Magnetic Stimulation Promotes Neurogenesis and Restores Cholinergic Activity in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease.},
  year = {2017},
  doi = {10.3389/fncir.2017.00048},
  url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fncir.2017.00048/full},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

Researchers tested deep brain magnetic stimulation (a targeted magnetic field therapy) on mice genetically engineered to develop Alzheimer's disease. They found that the magnetic treatment improved the mice's learning and memory, promoted growth of new brain cells in the memory center, and restored important brain chemicals needed for cognitive function. This suggests magnetic field therapy might help protect against Alzheimer's-related brain damage.