Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation: A potential therapy for cognitive disorders?

Considering the limited effectiveness of drugs treatments in cognitive disorders, the emergence of noninvasive techniques to modify brain function is very interesting. Among these techniques, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can modulate cortical excitability and have potential th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:La revue de medecine interne 2017-03, Vol.38 (3), p.188-194
Main Authors: Nouhaud, C, Sherrard, R M, Belmin, J
Format: Article
Language:fre
Subjects:
Alzheimer Disease - pathology
Alzheimer Disease - physiopathology
Alzheimer Disease - therapy
Brain - pathology
Brain - physiopathology
Cognition Disorders - diagnosis
Cognition Disorders - pathology
Cognition Disorders - therapy
Humans
Life Sciences
Neuroimaging
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation - methods
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Summary:Considering the limited effectiveness of drugs treatments in cognitive disorders, the emergence of noninvasive techniques to modify brain function is very interesting. Among these techniques, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can modulate cortical excitability and have potential therapeutic effects on cognition and behaviour. These effects are due to physiological modifications in the stimulated cortical tissue and their associated circuits, which depend on the parameters of stimulation. The objective of this article is to specify current knowledge and efficacy of rTMS in cognitive disorders. Previous studies found very encouraging results with significant improvement of higher brain functions. Nevertheless, these few studies have limits: a few patients were enrolled, the lack of control of the mechanisms of action by brain imaging, insufficiently formalized technique and variability of cognitive tests. It is therefore necessary to perform more studies, which identify statistical significant improvement and to specify underlying mechanisms of action and the parameters of use of the rTMS to offer rTMS as a routine therapy for cognitive dysfunction.
ISSN:0248-8663
1768-3122
DOI:10.1016/j.revmed.2016.06.005