Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation as a Protective Measure Against Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease: A Case Report
Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease leading to cognitive decline and death. Degradation of cortical neuroplasticity is implicated as a major catalyst of AD-related cognitive decline. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) uses pulsed magnetism to stimulate neurons, inducing long-lasting neuroplastic changes. rTMS has been used to treat AD, especially when done in conjunction with cognitive training exercises. This case report presents a 31-year-old who tested positive for an autosomal dominant mutation implicated in early-onset AD. rTMS and cognitive training were employed to assist in the delay of early-onset AD manifestation.
Methods: Prior to treatment, the patient completed questionnaires designed to test his cognitive functioning. Following this, 65 daily rTMS/cognitive training sessions were completed over two treatment cycles. The bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortices each received 1,000 pulses (10 Hz, 110% SMT). Tolerability and side effect data were collected after each treatment. Immediately following rTMS, the patient played cognitive training games. All pre-treatment assessments were repeated after completion of each cycle for comparison of pre-to-post-treatment functionality.
Results: Pre-treatment testing indicated the patient was asymptomatic. The patient completed 65 daily rTMS/cognitive training sessions, with moderate improvement across all cognitive domains. Tolerability/side effect data showed he tolerated treatment well and experienced only minor pain. Post-treatment assessments indicated no change in functioning. The third treatment cycle will begin in six months.
Conclusions: This case report supports rTMS and cognitive training as a safe, tolerable treatment for early-onset AD. However, more treatment cycles must be completed before determining conclusions about its efficacy.
This poster was presented at the 32nd annual Psych Congress, held Oct. 3-6, 2019, in San Diego, California.
