Transcranial Pulse Stimulation Enhances Dexterity in Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neurology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Ultrasound-based neuromodulation offers precise, non-invasive deep brain stimulation.
• It is being explored as a novel treatment for neurological and psychiatric conditions, including Parkinson's disease (PD).

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of repeated transcranial pulse stimulation (TPS) on motor symptoms, brain structure, and functional activity in PD patients.
• To evaluate TPS as a potential adjunct therapy for Parkinson's disease.

Main Methods:

• A randomized, sham-controlled, double-blind, crossover trial involving 30 mild PD participants.
• Six sessions of verum or sham TPS targeting the sensorimotor network, with assessments at baseline, 1 day, and 1 month post-stimulation.
• Utilized clinical evaluations, functional MRI, and diffusion tensor imaging.

Main Results:

• Significant improvement in manual dexterity (coin rotation task) after verum TPS compared to sham.
• Increased sensorimotor network activation observed with functional MRI following verum TPS.
• Enhanced white matter structural integrity in the primary somatosensory cortex detected via diffusion tensor imaging.
• Gross motor symptoms showed similar improvement with both verum and sham TPS.

Conclusions:

• TPS demonstrates behavioral, neurophysiological, and structural effects within the targeted sensorimotor network.
• TPS may serve as a safe and effective adjunctive treatment for Parkinson's disease.
• Mild and transient adverse events were reported, indicating a favorable safety profile.