Early Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Exerts Neuroprotective Effects and Improves Motor Functions in Hemiparkinsonian Rats

Figure 4

Characteristics of stepping footprint during 1 sec walkway locomotion in a rate pre-6-OHDA lesion, in a sham-treatment rat 4 weeks post-6-OHDA lesion, and in an rTMS-treated rat 4 weeks post-6-OHDA lesion (a). Time-course changes in walking speed (b), step length in the affected limb (c) and unaffected limb (d), stride length in the affected limb (e) and unaffected limb (f), and stance/swing phase time (g) in the sham- and rTMS-treated PD rats over 4 weeks of observation. Note that the step and stride lengths decreased significantly in the sham rTMS treatment group but decreased less in the rTMS treatment group. Gradual increases in the stance phases were found in both groups, but the sham treatment group showed a higher trend than the rTMS treatment group. No significant difference was found in swing phase duration. and , significant post hoc Fisher’s LSD differences when compared between the two groups at each time point.

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