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Vision incapacitation and blindness associated with retinal dystrophies affect millions of people worldwide. Retinal
degeneration is characterized by photoreceptor cell death and concomitant remodeling of remaining retinal cells.
Repetitive Magnetic Stimulation (RMS) is a non-invasive technique that creates alternating magnetic fields by brief
electric currents transmitted through an insulated coil. These magnetic field generate action potentials in neurons, and
modulate the expression of neurotransmitter receptors, growth factors and transcription factors which mediate plasticity.
This technology has been proven effective and safe in various psychiatric disorders. Here we determined the effect of
RMS on retinal function in Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats, a model for retinal dystrophy. Four week-old RCS
and control Spargue Dawley (SD) rats received sham or RMS treatment over the right eye (12 sessions on 4 weeks).
RMS treatment at intensity of at 40% of the maximal output of a Rapid2 stimulator significantly increased the
electroretinogram (ERG) b-wave responses by up to 6- or 10-fold in the left and right eye respectively, 3-5 weeks
following end of treatment. RMS treatment at intensity of 25% of the maximal output did not significant effect b-wave
responses following end of treatment with no adverse effect on ERG response or retinal structure of SD rats. Our
findings suggest that RMS treatment induces delayed improvement of retinal functions and may induce plasticity in the
retinal tissue. Furthermore, this non-invasive treatment may possibly be used in the future as a primary or adjuvant
treatment for retinal dystrophy.
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