Objective: The pathogenesis of Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) involves the spread of misfolded α-synuclein from nerve cells to glia and dysfunction of mitochondria and proteasomes, oxidative damage, dysfunction of myelin lipid regulation, decreased neurotrophic factors, energy deficit, and neuroinflammation. The combination of these mechanisms ultimately leads to MSA. The aim of our study was to investigate the role of LED stimulation on neuroglial relationships in MSA neurodegeneration.
Background: Biophotomodulation is a therapeutic tool that uses LED lighting for medical purposes. Among glial cells, astrocytes are known to be activated in the injured brain. Astrocyte cell migration is critical for maintaining homeostasis in the brain. The role of LED stimulation in neuroglial interactions and mechanisms of synaptic transmission and plasticity is poorly understood.
Method: In order to obtain an experimental model of MSA, we administered α-synuclein systemically and locally by stereotaxic injection to PLP-a-syn mice, causing lesions in the basal ganglia of these animals, causing symptoms of olivopontocerebellar atrophy and striatonigral degeneration. In our work, optogenetics was used to stimulate astrocyte activity in order to control interactions with neurons. For this purpose, LED stimulation was applied to astrocytes. The parameters of this stimulation were determined using patch-clamp recordings of spontaneous activity of giant neurons in the hippocampus.
Results: Based on these results, we conclude that ChR2 expressed in hippocampal astrocytes provides the ability to optogenetically regulate long-term synaptic plasticity and can potentially be used to stabilize plasticity and synaptic transmission disorders in various neurological pathologies, including models of Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Conclusion: Together with the elongation of astrocyte cell processes, these results may indicate that they are activated to build the cytoplasmic structures of these cells in MSA.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
F. Kiryukhin, D. Labunskiy, S. Kiryukhina, O. Zheleznikova. LED Light as an Inductor of Optogenetic Activation of Astrocytes in Multiple System Atrophy [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2025; 40 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/led-light-as-an-inductor-of-optogenetic-activation-of-astrocytes-in-multiple-system-atrophy/. Accessed July 10, 2026.« Back to 2025 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/led-light-as-an-inductor-of-optogenetic-activation-of-astrocytes-in-multiple-system-atrophy/