Abstract
Brain stimulation techniques can modulate cognitive functions in many neuropsychiatric diseases. Pilot studies have shown promising effects of brain stimulations on Alzheimer's disease (AD). Brain stimulations can be categorized into non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) and invasive brain stimulation (IBS). IBS includes deep brain stimulation (DBS), and invasive vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), whereas NIBS includes transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), electroconvulsive treatment (ECT), magnetic seizure therapy (MST), cranial electrostimulation (CES), and non-invasive VNS. We reviewed the cutting-edge research on these brain stimulation techniques and discussed their therapeutic effects on AD. Both IBS and NIBS may have potential to be developed as novel treatments for AD; however, mixed findings may result from different study designs, patients selection, population, or samples sizes. Therefore, the efficacy of NIBS and IBS in AD remains uncertain, and needs to be further investigated. Moreover, more standardized study designs with larger sample sizes and longitudinal follow-up are warranted for establishing a structural guide for future studies and clinical application.
Highlights
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and accounts for most of dementia in the elderly [1, 2]
We explore invasive brain stimulation (IBS), non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS), and their potential applications in the AD field
In Italy, Cotelli and colleagues recruited 15 patients with AD and reported that Repetitive TMS (rTMS) administered to the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortexes (DLPFCs) enhanced accuracy in action naming [31]
Summary
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and accounts for most of dementia in the elderly [1, 2]. Several participants exhibited increased temporal and amygdalohippocampal glucose metabolism after stimulation for almost 1 year Based on these promising findings, Kuhn et al performed continuous DBS of the NBM in two patients of an average age younger than that of the patients in the aforementioned Phase I trial, and who both had lower baseline ADAS-Cog scores [18]. In Italy, Cotelli and colleagues recruited 15 patients with AD and reported that rTMS administered to the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortexes (DLPFCs) enhanced accuracy in action naming [31] Based on this promising finding, this research team launched another trial of 24 adults with AD of varying severity (a mild AD group and moderate-to-severe AD group) [32]. Anodal tDCS increases cortical excitability in the Frontiers in Psychiatry | www.frontiersin.org
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
