Abnormal short latency afferent inhibition in early Alzheimer’s disease: a transcranial magnetic demonstration

The pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) appears to involve several different mechanisms, the most consistent of which is an impairment of cholinergic neurotransmission; however, there is controversy about its relevance at the early stage of disease. A transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) pro...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Neural Transmission 2008-11, Vol.115 (11), p.1557-1562
Main Authors: Nardone, Raffaele, Bergmann, Jürgen, Kronbichler, Martin, Kunz, Alexander, Klein, Stefanie, Caleri, Francesca, Tezzon, Frediano, Ladurner, Gunther, Golaszewski, Stefan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Alzheimer Disease - physiopathology
Alzheimer Disease - psychology
Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders - Original Article
Electroshock
Female
Humans
Male
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Middle Aged
Motor Cortex - physiology
Neurology
Neurosciences
Parasympathetic Nervous System - physiology
Peripheral Nervous System - physiology
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Psychiatry
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
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Summary:The pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) appears to involve several different mechanisms, the most consistent of which is an impairment of cholinergic neurotransmission; however, there is controversy about its relevance at the early stage of disease. A transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) protocol based on coupling peripheral nerve stimulation with motor cortex TMS (short latency afferent inhibition, SAI) may give direct information about the function of some cholinergic pathways in the human motor cortex. We evaluated SAI in a group of patients with early diagnosis of AD and compared the data with that from a control group. The amount of SAI was significantly smaller in early AD patients than in controls. This study first provides physiological evidence that a central cholinergic dysfunction occurs in the earlier stages of AD. Identification of SAI abnormalities that occur early in the course of AD will allow earlier diagnosis and treatment with cholinergic drugs.
ISSN:0300-9564
1435-1463
DOI:10.1007/s00702-008-0129-1