Effects of cholinergic receptor activation and magnetic fields on motor behavior in ischemic gerbils

Introduction: ischemic stroke stands as a leading global cause of death and disability, prompting the need for animal model experiments in stroke research and the protection of motor function. Recently, magnetic fields have gained significant interest in various biological contexts, showing promise in preserving neurons and reversing behavioral and morphological changes in stroke models. This study explores the potential synergy between static magnetic field and nAChR agonist administration in safeguarding motor behavior in ischemic gerbils. Objective: to determine whether the combined use of a static magnetic field and an agonist for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) can preserve motor behavior in ischemic gerbils. Methods: in this experimental study, 72 Mongolian gerbils were randomly allocated into nine groups (n=8): S, SISM, SINSM, ISM, INP, ISP, INSM, INNP, INSP, distributed according to surgical procedure and treatment. The animals were trained and evaluated on the Rotarod (RR) to assess motor performance. Results: the main finding was the preservation of motor behavior in the Sham Ischemia and Nicotine and Sham Magnetic Stimulation (SINSM) and Ischemia and Nicotine and South Pole Magnetic Field (INSP) groups, as evidenced by the results of the RR test. Conclusions: the findings are consistent with previous literature and provide insight into the mechanism of potentiation, as results showed that adding a nAChR agonist to the magnetic field preserved motor performance in the RR test of ischemic animals.