The Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Patients With Alzheimer's Disease

The Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Aerobic Exercise on Cognition, Balance and Functional Brain Networks in Patients With Alzheimer's Disease

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of high-frequency repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) in Alzheimer's Disease (AD).

Methods: Twenty-seven AD patients aged ≥60 years were included in the study and divided into 3 groups (rTMS, Aerobic Exercise (AE) and control). All groups received pharmacological treatment. rTMS group (n=10) received 20 Hz rTMS treatment on bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, 5 days a week over 2 weeks, and AE group (n=10) received the moderate-intensity aerobic exercise for 50 min sessions, 5 days a week over 2 weeks. Control group (n=10) was only treated pharmacologically. Neuropsychiatric and behavioral status, cognition, balance, functional mobility, and quality of life, and functional brain changes were evaluated before and after the treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• having clinical AD diagnosis according to the NINCDS-ADRDA (National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Diseases and Stroke/Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association) criteria
• being 60 years and older
• having Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR) scores 1 or 2
• living independently

Exclusion Criteria:

• not being able to walk independently,
• having physical disabilities,
• having a history of alcohol / substance abuse,
• having head trauma
• having epileptic seizures