Long-term, home-based transcranial direct current stimulation coupled with computerized cognitive training in...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neurology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive behavioral and cognitive decline.
• Behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) specifically impacts executive functions, social behavior, and personality.
• Current treatments for bvFTD are limited, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic strategies.

Observation:

• A 62-year-old woman with probable bvFTD received 46 sessions of home-based transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over 10 weeks, paired with computerized cognitive training (CCT).
• The tDCS protocol involved an anode on the left prefrontal cortex and a cathode on the right homologue.
• Family members reported subjective improvements in the patient's expressiveness, communication, social interaction, and personal care.

Findings:

• The patient demonstrated a 3-point increase on the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) (from 23 to 26) post-treatment.
• Significant improvements were observed in various cognitive and language tasks, including word recall, sentence repetition, delayed recall, semantic processing, and sentence comprehension.
• No decline was noted in other assessed cognitive and language functions, suggesting targeted benefits.

Implications:

• Home-based tDCS combined with CCT may offer a viable, accessible therapeutic option for managing bvFTD.
• This combined intervention shows potential for slowing cognitive and language decline in FTD patients.
• The findings suggest that tDCS and CCT can improve cognitive performance and enhance functional abilities in daily life for individuals with FTD.