A Review of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Vascular Dementia

Pennisi, Giovanni; Ferri, Raffaele; Cantone, Mariagiovanna; Lanza, Giuseppe; Pennisi, Manuela; Vinciguerra, Luisa; Malaguarnera, Giulia; Bella, Rita

doi:10.1159/000322798

Cited by 47 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 191 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In the last years, a number of studies have shown abnormalities in TMS assays of cortical function in dementias, namely an increased excitability of the motor cortex in both Alzheimer's disease (AD) [77] and VaD [78]. …”

Section: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: Basic Principles and Amentioning

confidence: 99%

Vascular Cognitive Impairment through the Looking Glass of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Lanza¹,

Bramantı

Cantone³

et al. 2017

Behavioural Neurology

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In the last years, there has been a significant growth in the literature exploiting transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with the aim at gaining further insights into the electrophysiological and neurochemical basis underlying vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). Overall, TMS points at enhanced brain cortical excitability and synaptic plasticity in VCI, especially in patients with overt dementia, and neurophysiological changes seem to correlate with disease process and progress. These findings have been interpreted as part of a glutamate-mediated compensatory effect in response to vascular lesions. Although a single TMS parameter owns low specificity, a panel of measures can support the VCI diagnosis, predict progression, and possibly identify early markers of “brain at risk” for future dementia, thus making VCI a potentially preventable cause of both vascular and degenerative dementia in late life. Moreover, TMS can be also exploited to select and evaluate the responders to specific drugs, as well as to become an innovative rehabilitative tool in the attempt to restore impaired neural plasticity. The present review provides a perspective of the different TMS techniques by further understanding the cortical electrophysiology and the role of distinctive neurotransmission pathways and networks involved in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of VCI and its subtypes.

show abstract

Section: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: Basic Principles and Amentioning

confidence: 99%

Vascular Cognitive Impairment through the Looking Glass of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Lanza¹,

Bramantı

Cantone³

et al. 2017

Behavioural Neurology

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In the last years, several investigators have used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to define the electrophysiological profile of several neuropsychiatric disorders [11], [12], physiological brain aging [13], different models of cognitive decline [14], [15] and some systemic diseases with a neurological involvement [16], [17]. TMS is a safe and non-invasive neurophysiological technique specifically able to evaluate the excitability and functioning of the primary motor cortex and the cortico-spinal tract [18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Excitability of the Motor Cortex in De Novo Patients with Celiac Disease

et al. 2014

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

IntroductionCeliac disease (CD) may initially present as a neurological disorder or may be complicated by neurological changes. To date, neurophysiological studies aiming to an objective evaluation of the potential central nervous system involvement in CD are lacking.ObjectiveTo assess the profile of cortical excitability to Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) in a group of de novo CD patients.Materials and methodsTwenty CD patients underwent a screening for cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms by means of the Mini Mental State Examination and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders, respectively. Instrumental exams, including electroencephalography and brain computed tomography, were also performed. Cortico-spinal excitability was assessed by means of single and paired-pulse TMS using the first dorsal interosseus muscle of the dominant hand. TMS measures consisted of resting motor threshold, motor evoked potentials, cortical silent period (CSP), intracortical inhibition (ICI) and facilitation (ICF). None of the CD was on gluten-free diet. A group of 20 age-matched healthy controls was used for comparisons.ResultsCD showed a significantly shorter CSP (78.0 vs 125.0 ms, p<0.025), a reduced ICI (0.3 vs 0.2, p<0.045) and an enhanced ICF (1.1 vs 0.7, p<0.042) compared to controls. A dysthymic disorder was identified in five patients. The effect size between dysthymic and non-dysthymic CD patients indicated a low probability of interference with the CSP (Cohen's d -0.414), ICI (-0.278) and ICF (-0.292) measurements.ConclusionA pattern of cortical excitability characterized by “disinhibition” and “hyperfacilitation” was found in CD patients. Immune system dysregulation might play a central role in triggering changes of the motor cortex excitability.

show abstract

“…Vascular mechanisms are also advocated, but in non-demented vascular patients there is no change in rMT [22]. It could be more common in the later stage of AD [23] and influence the level of the motor threshold. This was not the case in our patients as they were in the early stage of the disease, and their brain MRIs showed neither atrophy in the area of the motor cortex nor vascular damage.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Motor Cortex Excitability Changes in Mild Alzheimer's Disease Are Reversed by Donepezil

Balla

Noordhout

Pépin

2014

Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Recent neuroimaging studies in humans support the clinical observations that the motor cortex is affected early in the course of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods: We used transcranial magnetic stimulation to measure the active cortical motor threshold (ACMT) in AD patients in the very early stage of the disease, and we explored whether and in which way the pharmacologic manipulation of the cholinergic system could have a direct effect on the excitability of the motor cortex. Results: An increase of the ACMT was observed in AD patients in the early stage in comparison to controls. After 2 months of treatment with donepezil, the threshold did not differ significantly from normal subjects. Conclusions: The results suggest an early functional impairment of cholinergic neurotransmission in AD, which is associated to early changes in the excitability of the motor system.

show abstract

A Review of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Vascular Dementia

Cited by 47 publications

References 191 publications

Vascular Cognitive Impairment through the Looking Glass of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Vascular Cognitive Impairment through the Looking Glass of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Excitability of the Motor Cortex in De Novo Patients with Celiac Disease

Motor Cortex Excitability Changes in Mild Alzheimer's Disease Are Reversed by Donepezil

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About