THz Waves Improve Spatial Working Memory by Increasing the Activity of Glutamatergic Neurons in Mice
Terahertz (THz) waves, a novel type of radiation with quantum and electronic properties, have attracted increasing attention for their effects on the nervous system. Spatial working memory, a critical component of higher cognitive function, is coordinated by brain regions such as the infralimbic cor...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| author | Lequan Song Zhiwei He Ji Dong Haoyu Wang Jing Zhang Binwei Yao Xinping Xu Hui Wang Li Zhao Ruiyun Peng |
| author_facet | Lequan Song Zhiwei He Ji Dong Haoyu Wang Jing Zhang Binwei Yao Xinping Xu Hui Wang Li Zhao Ruiyun Peng |
| author_sort | Lequan Song |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Terahertz (THz) waves, a novel type of radiation with quantum and electronic properties, have attracted increasing attention for their effects on the nervous system. Spatial working memory, a critical component of higher cognitive function, is coordinated by brain regions such as the infralimbic cortex (IL) region of the medial prefrontal cortex and the ventral cornu ammonis 1 (vCA1) of hippocampus. However, the regulatory effects of THz waves on spatial working memory and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, the effects of 0.152 THz waves on glutamatergic neuronal activity and spatial working memory and the related mechanisms were investigated in cell, brain slice, and mouse models. Cellular experiments revealed that THz waves exposure for 60 min significantly increased the intrinsic excitability of primary hippocampal neurons, enhanced glutamatergic neuron activity, and upregulated the expression of molecules involved in glutamate metabolism. In brain slice experiments, THz waves markedly elevated neuronal activity, promoted synaptic plasticity, and increased glutamatergic synaptic transmission within the IL and vCA1 regions. Molecular dynamics simulations found that THz waves could inhibit the ion transport function of glutamate receptors. Moreover, Y-maze tests demonstrated that mice exposed to THz waves exhibited significantly improved spatial working memory. Multiomics analyses indicated that THz waves could induce changes in chromatin accessibility and increase the proportion of excitatory neurons. These findings suggested that exposure to 0.152 THz waves increased glutamatergic neuronal activity, promoted synaptic plasticity, and improved spatial working memory, potentially through modifications in chromatin accessibility and excitatory neuron proportions. |
| first_indexed | 2025-03-14T01:39:35Z |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4409 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-03-14T01:39:35Z |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cells |
| spelling | doaj.art-3caf5ce093784859a91b0d98fe9080d92025-03-12T13:54:51ZengMDPI AGCells2073-44092025-03-0114537010.3390/cells14050370THz Waves Improve Spatial Working Memory by Increasing the Activity of Glutamatergic Neurons in MiceLequan Song0Zhiwei He1Ji Dong2Haoyu Wang3Jing Zhang4Binwei Yao5Xinping Xu6Hui Wang7Li Zhao8Ruiyun Peng9Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, 100850 Beijing, ChinaBeijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, 100850 Beijing, ChinaBeijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, 100850 Beijing, ChinaBeijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, 100850 Beijing, ChinaBeijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, 100850 Beijing, ChinaBeijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, 100850 Beijing, ChinaBeijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, 100850 Beijing, ChinaBeijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, 100850 Beijing, ChinaBeijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, 100850 Beijing, ChinaBeijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, 100850 Beijing, ChinaTerahertz (THz) waves, a novel type of radiation with quantum and electronic properties, have attracted increasing attention for their effects on the nervous system. Spatial working memory, a critical component of higher cognitive function, is coordinated by brain regions such as the infralimbic cortex (IL) region of the medial prefrontal cortex and the ventral cornu ammonis 1 (vCA1) of hippocampus. However, the regulatory effects of THz waves on spatial working memory and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, the effects of 0.152 THz waves on glutamatergic neuronal activity and spatial working memory and the related mechanisms were investigated in cell, brain slice, and mouse models. Cellular experiments revealed that THz waves exposure for 60 min significantly increased the intrinsic excitability of primary hippocampal neurons, enhanced glutamatergic neuron activity, and upregulated the expression of molecules involved in glutamate metabolism. In brain slice experiments, THz waves markedly elevated neuronal activity, promoted synaptic plasticity, and increased glutamatergic synaptic transmission within the IL and vCA1 regions. Molecular dynamics simulations found that THz waves could inhibit the ion transport function of glutamate receptors. Moreover, Y-maze tests demonstrated that mice exposed to THz waves exhibited significantly improved spatial working memory. Multiomics analyses indicated that THz waves could induce changes in chromatin accessibility and increase the proportion of excitatory neurons. These findings suggested that exposure to 0.152 THz waves increased glutamatergic neuronal activity, promoted synaptic plasticity, and improved spatial working memory, potentially through modifications in chromatin accessibility and excitatory neuron proportions.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/5/370terahertz wavesglutamatergic neuronssynaptic plasticitysynaptic transmissionworking memorymultiomics |
| spellingShingle | Lequan Song Zhiwei He Ji Dong Haoyu Wang Jing Zhang Binwei Yao Xinping Xu Hui Wang Li Zhao Ruiyun Peng THz Waves Improve Spatial Working Memory by Increasing the Activity of Glutamatergic Neurons in Mice Cells terahertz waves glutamatergic neurons synaptic plasticity synaptic transmission working memory multiomics |
| title | THz Waves Improve Spatial Working Memory by Increasing the Activity of Glutamatergic Neurons in Mice |
| title_full | THz Waves Improve Spatial Working Memory by Increasing the Activity of Glutamatergic Neurons in Mice |
| title_fullStr | THz Waves Improve Spatial Working Memory by Increasing the Activity of Glutamatergic Neurons in Mice |
| title_full_unstemmed | THz Waves Improve Spatial Working Memory by Increasing the Activity of Glutamatergic Neurons in Mice |
| title_short | THz Waves Improve Spatial Working Memory by Increasing the Activity of Glutamatergic Neurons in Mice |
| title_sort | thz waves improve spatial working memory by increasing the activity of glutamatergic neurons in mice |
| topic | terahertz waves glutamatergic neurons synaptic plasticity synaptic transmission working memory multiomics |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/5/370 |
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