J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2016 Feb;55(1):1-11. 10.4306/jknpa.2016.55.1.1.

Clinical Implications of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Alzheimer's Dementia

• Kang DW
• Joo SH
• Lee CU

• KMID: 2192903
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4306/jknpa.2016.55.1.1

Abstract

The objective is this study is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the clinical implication of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in Alzheimer's dementia (AD). We collected studies using TMS in patients with AD and reviewed 41 identified articles. Thirty five articles were about measures of cortical reactivity, plasticity, connectivity, and six articles were about the enhancement of cognitive function in AD. Reduced short-latency afferent inhibition and resting motor threshold which reflect cholinergic dysfunction and enhanced cortical excitability respectively are consistent findings of altered cortical reactivity in AD. In addition, cortical plasticity and connectivity have shown impaired results in AD compared with healthy controls. Repetitively delivered TMS can improve several domains of cognitive function impaired in AD. Although the evidence is still preliminary, TMS has a clinical implication as a diagnostic and therapeutic method in AD. Thorough investigation of factors that can affect the results of TMS and further studies to clarify the results are needed.

Keyword

Alzheimer's dementia; Transcranial magnetic stimulation; Cortical reactivity; Cortical plasticity

MeSH Terms

Dementia*
Humans
Plastics
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation*
Plastics

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