Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation With H-coil in Alzheimer's Disease

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation With H-coil in Alzheimer's Disease: A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Pilot Study

Focal repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been applied to improve cognition in Alzheimer's disease (AD) with conflicting results. In this study we aimed to explore feasibility, safety and efficacy of excitatory rTMS of bilateral DLPFC applied with H-coil in AD in a pilot randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study.

Study Design The study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled paradigm, with randomization into a real rTMS group or a sham rTMS

Inclusion Criteria:

• Ability to understand the purpose and risk of the study and provide signed and dated informed consent.
• Male or female subjects, 18 to 80 years old.
• Diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease according to the DSM IV
• Subjects who answered all questions in the TMS pre-treatment safety questionnaire in a negative manner.
• Have given written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of an additional neurological or psychiatric pathology.
• Severe personality disorder.
• Uncontrolled hypertension.
• History of epilepsy, seizures, febrile convulsions.
• History of epilepsy or seizures in first degree relatives.
• History of head injury or stroke.
• Presence of metal prostheses in the head (except dental fillings).
• Metal implants or known history of any metal particles in the eye, cardiac pacemakers, cochlear implants, use of neurostimulators or medical pumps.
• History of migraine within the past six months.
• History of drug or alcohol abuse.
• Impossibility of adequate communication with the examiner.
• Participation in another clinical study, either concomitant or within the previous 3 months.
• Inability to sign the consent form.