Name: JULIANA CARDOSO DE SOUZA CUSTODIO
Publication date: 20/02/2017
Advisor:
Name |
Role |
|---|---|
| ESTER MIYUKI NAKAMURA PALACIOS | Advisor * |
| SUELY GOMES DE FIGUEIREDO | Co-advisor * |
Examining board:
| Name |
Role |
|---|---|
| ESTER MIYUKI NAKAMURA PALACIOS | Advisor * |
| SONIA ALVES GOUVEA | Internal Examiner * |
| SUELY GOMES DE FIGUEIREDO | Co advisor * |
Summary: The nervous system (NS) has the ability to modify its morphofunctional organization in response to internal changes or external demands, This adaptive capacity constitutes brain plasticity. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor known as BDNF has attracted considerable attention in the scientific literature for its involvement in crucial processes of nervous system development and regulation, however, many aspects of this molecule are still unknown. It is known that different protocols using brain stimulation have already shown positive effects on cognition and cortical function improvement, and BDNF may be potentially involved in this process. Objective: To investigate the changes in BDNF levels in the medial prefrontal cortex (CPFm) of adult rats undergoing acute and chronic cortical modulation with different polarities, through low-intensity DC epidural stimulation. Methods: In this randomized study, animals received eDCS (400 μA) anodic or cathodic, during a single session, or over 5 consecutive days. The levels of BDNF and its isoforms were evaluated in the CPF by western blot. Results: Our study demonstrated that anodic eDCS - acutely applied at 400 μA intensity led to an immediate reduction in BDNF expression, and interfered in the formation of mature BDNF, but there was a rapid recovery (at 30 minutes) of the latter At the expense of a greater conversion from the pro-BDNF, since there was a persistent reduction of this isoform. The acute cathodic eDCS at the same intensity also led to a reduction in BDNF levels, but different from the anodic group, this reduction was maintained for at least 30 minutes post-eDCS. The anodic eDCS applied over 5 days promoted an increase in the levels of both forms of BDNF in the CPF of the animals relative to the sham and cathodal eDCS groups. This increase was significant in relation to pro-BDNF levels, and this trend was maintained in relation to mature BDNF. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that eDCS at 400 μA intensity is able to modulate BDNF levels, and its effects are specific to each polarity and number of sessions applied.
