Low-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation inhibits apoptosis of temporal lobe and hippocampal neurons in temporal lobe epilepsy rats

Objective To explore whether low-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation could inhibit the neuronal apoptosis in temporal lobe and hippocampus of chronic temporal lobe epilepsy rats. Methods With the chronic temporal lobe epilepsy rat model induced by lithium-pilocarpine, temporal lobe and hippocampus neuronal apoptosis were detected by in situ TUNEL assay and electric microscopy in two temporal lobe epilepsy groups, one of which was given transcranial magnetic stimulation. Results Compared with normal control group, the apoptosis increased obviously in temporal lobe and hippocampus of temporal epilepsy rats. After transcranial magnetic stimulation was administrated, neuronal apoptosis decreased significantly in temporal lobe and hippocampus in temporal lobe epilepsy groups. Conclusion Appropriate transcranial magnetic stimulation inhibits neuronal apoptosis in temporal lobe and hippocampus of temporal lobe epilepsy rat and has a neuroprotective effect against brain damage induced by epilepsy.