High Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Improves Cognitive Performance Parameters in Patients...

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neuroscience
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Current Alzheimer's disease (AD) medications offer only temporary cognitive relief without disease-modifying effects.
• No effective disease-modifying therapies currently exist for this progressive neurodegenerative condition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate non-pharmacological, non-invasive neuromodulatory repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) as a potential therapeutic strategy for cognitive decline in AD.
• To evaluate rTMS as an alternative or add-on treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

Main Methods:

• An exploratory intervention study monitored safety and symptoms in 28 AD patients receiving intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) on the frontopolar cortex (FPC) for 10 days.
• A control group of 10 patients received sham stimulation.
• Serum markers including neurotransmitter precursors, immune factors, BDNF, and nitrite were measured before and after treatment.

Main Results:

• Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) was well-tolerated with no serious adverse events.
• Significant improvements were observed in Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores and a modified repeat address phrase test.
• A trend towards improvement was noted in the Clock Drawing Test (CDT), and depression symptoms (HAMD-7) decreased significantly in patients with comorbid depression.

Conclusions:

• Preliminary findings suggest that iTBS may be an effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease, showing cognitive and mood benefits.
• A potential influence of iTBS on phenylalanine metabolism was observed, though not linked to phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) activity in this trial.
• Longer treatment durations and larger patient cohorts are recommended to explore disease-modifying effects and neurotransmitter impacts in AD with depression.