Subthreshold repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation drives structural synaptic plasticity in the young and aged motor cortex

Alexander D. Tang; William Bennett; Aidan D. Bindoff; Samuel Bolland; Jessica Collins; Ross C. Langley; Michael I. Garry; Jeffery J. Summers; Mark R. Hinder; Jennifer Rodger; Alison J. Canty

Brain Stimulation (Nov 2021)

Subthreshold repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation drives structural synaptic plasticity in the young and aged motor cortex

Alexander D. Tang,
William Bennett,
Aidan D. Bindoff,
Samuel Bolland,
Jessica Collins,
Ross C. Langley,
Michael I. Garry,
Jeffery J. Summers,
Mark R. Hinder,
Jennifer Rodger,
Alison J. Canty

Affiliations

Alexander D. Tang: Experimental and Regenerative Neurosciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway (M317), Crawley, 6009, WA, Australia; Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Sciences, 8 Verdun Street, Nedlands, 6008, WA, Australia; Corresponding author. Experimental and Regenerative Neurosciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway (M317), Crawley, 6009, WA, Australia.
William Bennett: Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 143, Hobart, 7001, TAS, Australia
Aidan D. Bindoff: Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 143, Hobart, 7001, TAS, Australia
Samuel Bolland: Experimental and Regenerative Neurosciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway (M317), Crawley, 6009, WA, Australia; Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Sciences, 8 Verdun Street, Nedlands, 6008, WA, Australia
Jessica Collins: Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 143, Hobart, 7001, TAS, Australia
Ross C. Langley: Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 143, Hobart, 7001, TAS, Australia
Michael I. Garry: School of Psychological Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia. Private Bag 30, Hobart, 7001, TAS, Australia
Jeffery J. Summers: School of Psychological Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia. Private Bag 30, Hobart, 7001, TAS, Australia; Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Tom Reilly Building, Byrom Street, L3 3AF, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Mark R. Hinder: School of Psychological Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia. Private Bag 30, Hobart, 7001, TAS, Australia
Jennifer Rodger: Experimental and Regenerative Neurosciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway (M317), Crawley, 6009, WA, Australia; Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Sciences, 8 Verdun Street, Nedlands, 6008, WA, Australia
Alison J. Canty: Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 143, Hobart, 7001, TAS, Australia

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 14, no. 6
pp. 1498 – 1507

Abstract

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Background: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive tool commonly used to drive neural plasticity in the young adult and aged brain. Recent data from mouse models have shown that even at subthreshold intensities (0.12 T), rTMS can drive neuronal and glial plasticity in the motor cortex. However, the physiological mechanisms underlying subthreshold rTMS induced plasticity and whether these are altered with normal ageing are unclear. Objective: To assess the effect of subthreshold rTMS, using the intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) protocol on structural synaptic plasticity in the mouse motor cortex of young and aged mice. Methods: Longitudinal in vivo 2-photon microscopy was used to measure changes to the structural plasticity of pyramidal neuron dendritic spines in the motor cortex following a single train of subthreshold rTMS (in young adult and aged animals) or the same rTMS train administered on 4 consecutive days (in young adult animals only). Data were analysed with Bayesian hierarchical generalized linear regression models and interpreted with the aid of Bayes Factors (BF). Results: We found strong evidence (BF > 10) that subthreshold rTMS altered the rate of dendritic spine losses and gains, dependent on the number of stimulation sessions and that a single session of subthreshold rTMS was effective in driving structural synaptic plasticity in both young adult and aged mice. Conclusion: These findings provide further evidence that rTMS drives synaptic plasticity in the brain and uncovers structural synaptic plasticity as a key mechanism of subthreshold rTMS induced plasticity.

Published in Brain Stimulation

ISSN: 1935-861X (Print); 1876-4754 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/brain-stimulation

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