Treatment with ac pulsed electromagnetic fields normalizes the latency of the visual evoked response in a multiple sclerosis patient with optic atrophy

Abstract

Visual evoked response (VER) studies have been utilized as supportive information for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and may be useful in objectively monitoring the effects of various therapeutic modalities. Delayed latency of the VER, which reflects slowed impulse transmission in the optic pathways, is the most characteristic abnormality associated with the disease. Brief transcranial applications of AC pulsed electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in the picotesla flux density are efficacious in the symptomatic treatment of MS and may also reestablish impulse transmission in the optic pathways. A 36 year old man developed an attack of right sided optic neuritis at the age of 30. On presentation he had blurring of vision with reduced acuity on the right and fundoscopic examination revealed pallor of the optic disc. A checkerboard pattern reversal VER showed a delayed latency to right eye stimulation (P100 = 132 ms; normal range: 95-115 ms). After he received two successive applications of AC pulsed EMFs of 7.5 picotesla flux density each of 20 minutes duration administered transcranially, there was a dramatic improvement in vision and the VER latency reverted to normal (P100= 107 ms). The rapid improvement in vision coupled with the normalization of the VER latency despite the presence of optic atrophy, which reflects chronic demyelination of the optic nerve, cannot be explained on the basis of partial or full reformation of myelin. It is proposed that in MS synaptic neurotransmitter deficiency is associated with the visual impairment and delayed VER latency following optic neuritis and that the recovery of the VER latency by treatment with pulsed EMFs is related to enhancement of synaptic neurotransmitter functions in the retina and central optic pathways. Recovery of the VER latency in MS patients may have important implications with respect to the treatment of visual impairment and prevention of visual loss. Specifically, repeated pulsed applications of EMFs may maintain impulse transmission in the optic nerve and thus potentially sustain its viability.

Electroceutical Technology: Anti-Inflammatory Effects Of 40-160 T/S Inductively Coupled Electrical Stimulation (ICES) In The Acute Inflammation Model

“…It should be noted that there is significant theoretical evidence that suggests that there is a lower bound for frequencies as well due to the thermal noise threshold 19,69,70 . Interestingly, there have been a number of studies that find effects well below the theoretical frequency and amplitude limits predicted mathematically, suggesting either a placebo effect or an alternative transduction mechanism [29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40]69,71 . A description of the numbered portions above can be found in Table 1-1.…”

“…Generating such field strengths can be done using several magnetic waveforms. It should also be noted that much lower amplitude magnetic fields, on the order of picotesla, (10 -12 T) have been reported to be clinically effective for treatment of multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's patients [29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40] . So, one can conclude that waveform amplitude certainly plays a role in both the efficacy and the potential risk involved in the use of ICES stimulators, but the precise role and the underlying biological and electromagnetic mechanisms remain to be elucidated.…”

“…Pilla and colleagues developed a theory of interaction between pulsed radio frequency (PRF) waves and tissues which makes use of the frequency response of tissues and places lower bounds on waveform parameters based on the thermal noise threshold 2,4,5,7,[17][18][19]67,68 . More recently, ICES has been studied in terms of behavioural modulations-specifically the effects of ICES on bipolardisorder, autism spectral disorder (ASD), Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's disease [29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37]46 . Prior to discussing the effects of ICES on cells, tissues and systems, it is necessary to discuss the important parameters which govern how tissues will respond to electromagnetic radiation.…”

Clinical and Neurochemical Effects of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) in Multiple Sclerosis: A Study Protocol for a Randomized Clinical Trial

“…In the decade of the 90s, Sandyk showed in different studies how electromagnetic stimulation manages to improve the visual and cognitive deficit associated with MS, as well as reducing the symptomatic exacerbation (of the general case) associated with the premenstrual state (38). Professor Centonze's group, since the beginning of the XXI century has been studying the effect of the TMS on the spasticity typical of the patients affected by MS.…”

Pulsierende Elektromagnetische Felder in der Behandlung von Verletzungen und Erkrankungen der Bewegungsorgane - eine Übersicht und Metaanalyse

“…Weitere Anwendungsgebiete der PEMF sind unter anderem: die Behandlung des M. Parkinson, der Encephalitis dissiminata und der Migräne [84,85,86], die Schmerztherapie [56,77,79] und die muskuläre Stimulation im Rahmen rehabilitativer Maûnahmen [30]. Schlieûlich konnte auch eine Stimulation des Wachstums von Blutgefäûen [40] als auch von peripherem Nervengewebe unter der Therapie mit PEMF beobachtet werden [51].…”