The Effects of Bioelectric Stimulation on the Speed of Caenorhabditis elegans Exposed to Glutamate-Induced Damage for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Treatment

School Name

Spring Valley High School

Grade Level

11th Grade

Presentation Topic

Physiology and Health

Presentation Type

Non-Mentored

Abstract

Despite numerous studies regarding the degrading effects of neurodegenerative diseases, little is known about emerging therapeutic techniques such as Bioelectric Stimulation (BS) on neurological inconsistencies, namely, glutamate excitotoxicity. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is the most common motor neuron disease and has a prevalence of 4–6 per 100,000 individuals worldwide (Gadhave et al., 2024). ALS causes the loss of neurons that control voluntary movements, leading to muscle weakness, atrophy, fasciculations, spasticity, and ultimately paralysis, with respiratory failure being the most common cause of death. Current treatment approaches include Riluzole (a glutamate-receptor antagonist), Edaravone, gene therapies such as antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) targeting SOD1, and stem cell therapies. However, these methods only prolong survival for a limited time. BS is an emerging technique that uses small controlled electrical pulses directed at nerves to stimulate repair. Questions arise regarding the effectiveness of BS on ALS-like symptoms. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of BS on glutamate excitotoxicity in the model organism C. elegans, to assess the speed and nerve function when exposed to ALS-like factors. It was hypothesized that BS application after glutamate-induced neurodegeneration would enhance nerve regeneration and locomotion in C. elegans. Four experimental groups were examined: C. elegans exposed to glutamate, glutamate and BS, BS only, and the control group with no stimulus added. Using a stereoscope and camera attachment to examine speed, C. elegans’ experienced electrical pulses through a function generator and electrode setup, and glutamate was applied to the medium through an inoculation technique. All data was examined through Open Source Physics software. The one-way ANOVA test, conducted with an alpha level of 0.05, revealed significant differences between the control group and each of the experimental groups (F(1.3243, 1.7555) = 29.1699, p < 0.001). Therefore, it was concluded that there was a significant difference in speed between the control group and experimental groups, and most importantly between the glutamate-only group and the BS plus glutamate group.

Location

Furman Hall 207

Start Date

3-28-2026 10:00 AM

Presentation Format

Oral and Written

Group Project

No

COinS
 
Mar 28th, 10:00 AM

The Effects of Bioelectric Stimulation on the Speed of Caenorhabditis elegans Exposed to Glutamate-Induced Damage for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Treatment

Furman Hall 207

Despite numerous studies regarding the degrading effects of neurodegenerative diseases, little is known about emerging therapeutic techniques such as Bioelectric Stimulation (BS) on neurological inconsistencies, namely, glutamate excitotoxicity. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is the most common motor neuron disease and has a prevalence of 4–6 per 100,000 individuals worldwide (Gadhave et al., 2024). ALS causes the loss of neurons that control voluntary movements, leading to muscle weakness, atrophy, fasciculations, spasticity, and ultimately paralysis, with respiratory failure being the most common cause of death. Current treatment approaches include Riluzole (a glutamate-receptor antagonist), Edaravone, gene therapies such as antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) targeting SOD1, and stem cell therapies. However, these methods only prolong survival for a limited time. BS is an emerging technique that uses small controlled electrical pulses directed at nerves to stimulate repair. Questions arise regarding the effectiveness of BS on ALS-like symptoms. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of BS on glutamate excitotoxicity in the model organism C. elegans, to assess the speed and nerve function when exposed to ALS-like factors. It was hypothesized that BS application after glutamate-induced neurodegeneration would enhance nerve regeneration and locomotion in C. elegans. Four experimental groups were examined: C. elegans exposed to glutamate, glutamate and BS, BS only, and the control group with no stimulus added. Using a stereoscope and camera attachment to examine speed, C. elegans’ experienced electrical pulses through a function generator and electrode setup, and glutamate was applied to the medium through an inoculation technique. All data was examined through Open Source Physics software. The one-way ANOVA test, conducted with an alpha level of 0.05, revealed significant differences between the control group and each of the experimental groups (F(1.3243, 1.7555) = 29.1699, p < 0.001). Therefore, it was concluded that there was a significant difference in speed between the control group and experimental groups, and most importantly between the glutamate-only group and the BS plus glutamate group.