rTMS for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Early Alzheimer's
rTMS for Anxiety Disorders
Dementias or Major Neurocognitive Disorders can impair one’s ability to live independently and meaningfully interact with their loved ones. Generally, people who have these diseases will progress from having mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to progressively worsening stages of dementia.
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is not normal ageing. It occurs when there is an objective decline in cognitive abilities, but the person is still relatively independent. 10-15% of people diagnosed with MCI will convert to having a Major Neurocognitive Disorder (dementia) every year.
Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common Major Neurocognitive Disorders (dementia). Alzheimer’s is a degenerative disease in which people’s cognition will progressively decline over an average of 10 years until their death.
rTMS for mild cognitive impairment is an emerging area of research, showing potential in slowing down cognitive decline.
The exact cause of MCI and early alzheimers is not entirely known. However, most patients with MCI and Early Alzheimers have abnormal structural and functional changes within the brain. In addition, genetic factors and environmental factors play a role.
Unfortunately, there are no cures for these diseases, and no standard disease-modifying therapies are available.
rTMS for mild cognitive impairment is currently being investigated as a possible treatment option for MCI and early Alzheimer’s disease. rTMS for mild cognitive impairment may potentially decrease the likelihood of progression from MCI to dementia. It may also potentially help with neurobehavioral changes. A recent systematic review published in 2020 looking at numerous studies and 293 patients found that rTMS enhanced cognitive functions in MCI and Alzheimer’s disease (1).
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive, highly effective treatment that uses electromagnetic impulses that pass easily through the skull to stimulate abnormal brain activity without any systematic side effects or downtime.
- Chou, Y. H., That, V. T., & Sundman, M. (2020). A systematic review and meta-analysis of rTMS effects on cognitive enhancement in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. Neurobiology of aging, 86, 1-10.
