Terahertz Irradiation Improves Cognitive Impairments and Attenuates Alzheimer ’s Neuropathology in the APPSWE/PS1DE9 Mouse: A Novel Therapeutic Intervention for Alzheimer’s Disease

In this study, we first measured the 0.14 THz waves penetration across the skull of a C57BL/6 mouse and found the percentage of THz penetration to be ~70%, guaranteeing that THz waves can reach the relevant brain regions. We then exposed the APPSWE/PS1DE9 mouse model of AD to repeated low-frequency THz waves on the head. We demonstrated that THz waves treatment significantly improved the cognitive impairment and alleviated AD neuropathology including A β deposition and tau hyperphosphorylation in the AD mice. Moreover, THz waves treatment effectively attenuated mitochondrial impairment, neuroinflammation, and neuronal loss in the AD mouse brain. Our findings reveal previously unappreciated beneficial effects of THz waves treatment in AD and sugge st that THz waves may have the potential to be used as a novel therapeutic intervention for this devastating disease.
Source: Neuroscience Bulletin - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research