Fig. 4

The GES modulated microglia activation in the cortex of 5xFAD mice. (A) EF distribution to the hippocampus simulated by the FEM. (B) The cortex region was assessed for microglia activation modulation. (C) The GES modulated Iba1+ (green) cell activation in the cortex. The morphological characteristics of microglia activation were analyzed for changes in cell body size, extension, and number of cell processes. Along with the Iba1 + microglia activation, the reduction of Aβ42 (red) labeling was also detected. DAPI was used as a nuclear counterstain. Scale bars as shown. (D) The GES significantly increased the cell count of Iba1 + microglia in 100 and 200 µA groups than that in the sham group. (E) The GES significantly decreased the average cell body diameter of Iba1 + microglia in 50, 100, and 200 µA groups than that in the sham group. (F) The GES significantly increased the numbers of the average Iba1 + process in DG of 100 and 200 µA groups than that in the sham group. Data are mean ± SEM from the sham (n = 6 mice), 25 µA (n = 8), 50 µA (n = 8), 100 µA (n = 6), and 200 µA (n = 7) groups. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, and *** P < 0.001 were considered significantly different for GES groups vs. sham