New Hope for Alzheimer's: rTMS and Cognitive Training Show Significant Cognitive and Quality of Life Improvements

September 2, 2024
New Hope for Alzheimer's: rTMS and Cognitive Training Show Significant Cognitive and Quality of Life Improvements
  • Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive technique that shows promise in improving cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer's Disease (AD), particularly when combined with cognitive training (CT).

  • Current pharmacological treatments for AD are limited and often poorly tolerated, underscoring the need for alternative therapies like CT and rTMS.

  • A systematic review identified nine studies involving 290 participants, with a focus on the combined effects of rTMS and CT, including language training, in patients with early-stage AD.

  • CT programs typically emphasize memory enhancement but often overlook language training, which is essential for comprehensive cognitive rehabilitation.

  • Results from the review indicated significant improvements in global cognitive function, neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms, and quality of life for the active treatment group receiving combined rTMS and CT.

  • In a separate study involving 100 patients with poststroke urinary incontinence, rTMS treatment led to significant improvements in bladder function metrics.

  • This research was conducted by Jialu Chen and colleagues at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, highlighting the potential of rTMS in addressing urinary issues post-stroke.

  • Heart rate variability (HRV) was assessed before and after interventions, revealing insights into autonomic function in stroke survivors.

  • The findings emphasize the potential of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) as a therapeutic intervention for improving autonomic function and functional capacity in stroke survivors.

  • The study suggests that stimulating the left hemisphere could be safer for modulating autonomic balance, potentially reducing future cardiovascular risks.

  • A significant increase in walking distance during a six-minute walk test was observed for participants after receiving tDCS, indicating improved functional capacity.

  • These findings raise questions about the limits of focal stimulation and its implications for understanding motor and perceptual neural circuits.

Summary based on 4 sources


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