Mekers WFT
Biomolecular Sciences Program,
Sudbury, Ontario- P3E 2C6
Canada
Research Article
Introduction of Planaria as a New Model for Multiple Sclerosis Research: Evidence from Behavioural Differences in Cuprizone Treated Planaria Exposed to Patterned Magnetic Fields
Author(s): Mekers WFT, Murugan NJ and Persinger MAMekers WFT, Murugan NJ and Persinger MA
There has been a substantial history of correlative associations between subtle changes in geomagnetic intensity and the prevalence of multiple sclerosis. Several experiments have shown that rats in which experimental allergic encephalomyelitis had been induced respond to naturally-patterned weak magnetic fields. Exposures of only 6 min once per hour during the scotophase to a ~ 50 nT, 7 Hz magnetic field whose amplitude modulations simulated a sudden geomagnetic storm commencement markedly reduced both the behavioural symptoms and mononuclear cell infiltrations. In the present study planarian were exposed for only 6 min per day for three days to this same field pattern and intensities but with or without the presence of the demyelinating agent cuprizone. Behavioural analysis indicated a strong interaction after one day of exposure between cuprizone and field conditions for the number.. View More»