Kim, Min SunMin SunKimHan, Sang WhoSang WhoHanNitsche, Michael A.Michael A.NitscheKim, Yun-HeeYun-HeeKimShin, Yong-IlYong-IlShinKoo, H. O.H. O.KooPaulus, Walter J.Walter J.PaulusYoon, Jin A.Jin A.Yoon2020-12-102020-12-1020170922-6028https://resolver.sub.uni-goettingen.de/purl?gro-2/78376Background: Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (A-tDCS) induces a long- lasting increase in cortical excitability that can increase gene transcription in the brain. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of genes related to activity-dependent neuronal plasticity in the sensorimotor cortex and hippocampus of young Sprague-Dawley rats following A-tDCS. Methods: We applied A-tDCS over the right sensorimotor cortex epicranially with a circular electrode (3mm diameter) at 250 mu A for 20 min per day for 7 consecutive days. Levels of mRNA for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), synapsin I, Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc), and c-Fos were analyzed using SYBR Green quantitative real- time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: We found that 7 days of unilateral A-tDCS resulted in significant increases in transcription of all plasticity-related genes tested in the ipsilateral cortex. Daily A-tDCS also resulted in a significant increase in c-Fos mRNA in the ipsilateral hippocampus. Conclusion: These results indicate that altered expression of plasticity-associated genes in the cortex and hippocampus is a molecular substrate of A-tDCS-induced neural plasticity.journal_article10.3233/RNN-160689280598010003981317000011878-3627