Network-targeted transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for mild cognitive impairment (MCI)

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) shows promise for treating mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early Alzheimer's disease (AD).
• Optimal stimulation locations for cognitive enhancement via TMS remain largely unknown.
• Prefrontal and parietal regions are key targets in prior TMS studies for MCI-AD and healthy cognition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze network functional connectivity (fc) of prefrontal and parietal TMS sites.
• To determine ideal stimulation targets for improving cognitive function in MCI-AD patients.
• To explore personalized TMS treatment strategies based on network connectivity.

Main Methods:

• Resting-state functional MRI data from 32 MCI participants were analyzed.
• Connectivity was computed for prefrontal and parietal stimulation sites identified from prior TMS research.
• TMS seed maps were assessed for overlap with canonical brain networks, and strategies for purer targeting were applied.

Main Results:

• The prefrontal TMS site primarily targeted the salience network and showed anti-correlated connectivity with the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC).
• The parietal TMS site connected strongly with the PCC and default mode network regions, potentially also modulating the fronto-parietal network.
• Secondary findings detail methods for enhanced network targeting and personalized TMS.

Conclusions:

• Results inform network-targeted brain stimulation for MCI and early AD.
• Precise and personalized TMS approaches hold potential for improved patient outcomes.
• This research supports the development of more effective, individualized TMS therapies for cognitive decline.