Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 24, 2026
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Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Simultaneous Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: April 27, 2014
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rTMS concurrent with cognitive training rewires AD brain by enhancing GM-WM functional connectivity: a preliminary
Tong Qin1, Luyao Wang2, Huanyu Xu3
1Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 45 Changchun Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100053, China.
Cerebral Cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991)
|December 1, 2023
Summary
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with cognitive training enhances brain connectivity in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. This therapy strengthens connections between gray and white matter, particularly involving the corona radiata and superior longitudinal fasciculus.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by altered brain functional connectivity (FC).
- The impact of therapies like repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and cognitive training on white matter (WM) and gray matter-white matter (GM-WM) FC in AD remains unclear.
- Understanding these changes is crucial for developing effective AD treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of 40 Hz rTMS over the angular gyrus (AG) combined with cognitive training on GM-WM FC in patients with mild-to-moderate AD.
- To identify specific white matter tracts involved in these therapeutic changes.
- To assess the clinical relevance and classification performance of observed FC changes.
Main Methods:
- 15 patients with mild-to-moderate AD underwent 40 Hz rTMS targeting the AG concurrently with cognitive training.
- Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) was performed before and after the intervention.
- AG-based FC analysis was conducted, along with analyses using identified WM tracts as seeds. Fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) were also assessed.
Main Results:
- The study identified the corona radiata and superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF) as key activated WM tracts.
- WM tract-based seed analysis revealed more affected GM regions compared to AG-based GM seed analysis.
- Enhanced GM-WM FC, fALFF, and ReHo in specific GM regions showed stronger clinical correlations and better classification performance post-treatment.
Conclusions:
- rTMS combined with cognitive training can effectively rewire brain networks in AD by enhancing GM-WM FC.
- The corona radiata and SLF are important white matter structures mediating these therapeutic effects.
- These findings highlight the potential of combined rTMS and cognitive training as a therapeutic strategy for AD.
