Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on the glutamatergic pathway in the male rat hippocampus after experimental focal cerebral ischemia

Abstract This study aimed to assess the focal cerebral ischemia‐induced changes in learning and memory together with glutamatergic pathway in rats and the effects of treatment of the animals with transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS). One hundred male rats were divided into five groups as sham, tDCS, Ischemia/Reperfusion (IR), IR + tDCS, and IR + E‐tDCS groups. Learning, memory, and locomotor activity functions were evaluated by behavioral experiments in rats. Glutamate and glutamine levels, alpha‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole‐propionate receptor (AMPAR1), N‐Methyl‐D‐Aspartate receptors (NMDAR1 and NMDAR2A), vesicular glutamate transporter‐1 (VGLUT‐1), and excitatory amino acid transporters (EAAT1‐3) mRNA expressions in hippocampus tissues were measured. Ischemic areas were analyzed by TTC staining. The increase was observed in IR + tDCS, and IR + E‐tDCS groups compared to the IR group while a significant decrease was observed in IR group compared to the sham in the locomotor activity, learning, and memory tests. While glutamate and glutamine levels, AMPAR1, NMDAR1, NMDAR2A, VGLUT1, and EAAT1 mRNA expressions were significantly higher in IR group compared to the sham group, it was found to be significantly lower in IR + tDCS and IR + E‐tDCS groups compared to the IR group. EAAT2 and EAAT3 mRNA expressions were significantly higher in IR + tDCS and IR + E‐tDCS groups compared to the IR group. Ischemic areas were significantly decreased in IR + tDCS and IR + E‐tDCS groups compared to the IR group. Current results suggest that tDCS application after ischemia improves learning and memory disorders and these effects of tDCS may be provided through transporters that regulate glutamate levels.