Non-invasive visual theta entrainment modulates myelin-related and functional outcomes in an LPC-induced demyelination model
6 affiliations
- 1Eye Research Center, Moheb Kowsar Hospital, The Five Senses Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- 2Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- 3JFK Neuroscience Institute, Hackensack Meridian Health JFK University Medical Center, Edison, New Jersey, United States of America
- 4Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- 5Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
- 6Institute for Brain Sciences and Cognition, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Demyelination is a hallmark of various neurodegenerative diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS), leading to impaired neural transmission and motor deficits. The Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC)-induced demyelination model is widely used because it reflects many aspects of demyelinating pathology. This study examined how non-invasive 4 Hz visual theta oscillation entrainment affects LPC-induced demyelination in the optic chiasm of male C57BL/6J mice. Mice received daily one-hour sessions of 4 Hz stimulation for two weeks post-LPC injection. The analysis of the VEPs showed that the latency of P1 waves was shorter in the theta stimulation group and significantly different from the LPC group on days 7 and 14. IBA1 immunostaining showed reduced IBA1 immunoreactivity at early post-lesion time points, while qPCR analysis showed lower Aif-1 1 and Gfap transcript levels in the theta-stimulated group. Luxol Fast Blue (LFB) and FluoroMyelin staining suggested greater preservation of myelin staining in the theta group at day 14. In parallel, molecular analyses revealed increased expression of oligodendrocyte-lineage markers, including Pdfgra at days 3 and 7 and Olig2 and Plp1 at day 14. Taken together, these findings suggest that theta oscillation entrainment modulates the molecular, cellular and electrophysiological responses that follow demyelinating injury, and that it may also influence the processes associated with myelin repair. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms underlying these effects and to assess the therapeutic relevance of this non-invasive approach for demyelinating disorders.
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BibTeX
@article{dehghan2026noninvasive,
title = {{Non-invasive visual theta entrainment modulates myelin-related and functional outcomes in an LPC-induced demyelination model}},
author = {Samaneh Dehghan and Kolsoum Dehdar and Nooshin Ahmadirad and Sarina Sadat Aboei Mehrizi and Mohammad Reza Raoufy and Mohammad Javan},
journal = {PLOS One},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0357965},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357965},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Non-invasive visual theta entrainment modulates myelin-related and functional outcomes in an LPC-induced demyelination model
AU - Samaneh Dehghan
AU - Kolsoum Dehdar
AU - Nooshin Ahmadirad
AU - Sarina Sadat Aboei Mehrizi
AU - Mohammad Reza Raoufy
AU - Mohammad Javan
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/15
JO - PLOS One
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0357965
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357965
AB - Demyelination is a hallmark of various neurodegenerative diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS), leading to impaired neural transmission and motor deficits. The Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC)-induced demyelination model is widely used because it reflects many aspects of demyelinating pathology. This study examined how non-invasive 4 Hz visual theta oscillation entrainment affects LPC-induced demyelination in the optic chiasm of male C57BL/6J mice. Mice received daily one-hour sessions of 4 Hz stimulation for two weeks post-LPC injection. The analysis of the VEPs showed that the latency of P1 waves was shorter in the theta stimulation group and significantly different from the LPC group on days 7 and 14. IBA1 immunostaining showed reduced IBA1 immunoreactivity at early post-lesion time points, while qPCR analysis showed lower Aif-1 1 and Gfap transcript levels in the theta-stimulated group. Luxol Fast Blue (LFB) and FluoroMyelin staining suggested greater preservation of myelin staining in the theta group at day 14. In parallel, molecular analyses revealed increased expression of oligodendrocyte-lineage markers, including Pdfgra at days 3 and 7 and Olig2 and Plp1 at day 14. Taken together, these findings suggest that theta oscillation entrainment modulates the molecular, cellular and electrophysiological responses that follow demyelinating injury, and that it may also influence the processes associated with myelin repair. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms underlying these effects and to assess the therapeutic relevance of this non-invasive approach for demyelinating disorders.
SN - 1932-6203
ER -