Neurology

Comprehensive Summary

Wang et al. studied the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on brain networks, cognition, and plasma biomarkers in patients with early Alzheimer's disease (AD). The left dorsolateral prefrontal cortices of thirty mild-to-moderate AD patients were treated with 20 Hz rTMS for 14 days. Pre- and post-treatment cognitive tests were administered, and neuropsychiatric evaluations, resting-state fMRI, and blood biomarkers were collected. The results showed significant cognitive improvement on MMSE, MoCA, and RAVLT scores, and a reduction in depressive and behavioral symptoms. Plasma neurofilament light chain (NFL) decreased by 9.4%, indicating reduced neuronal damage, and higher Aβ42/40 ratios were associated with increased brain network efficiency. Resting-state fMRI found higher connection density and global integration in the visual, limbic, and default mode networks. The researchers found that rTMS enables neuroplasticity and brain network reorganization, which also parallels both cognitive and biochemical improvement, although the short study period and small sample size limit its generalizability to a broad population. This study is significant since it provides evidence that noninvasive brain stimulation may result in measurable enhancement of neural connectivity and molecular biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease.

Outcomes and Implications

This research is important because it provides evidence that noninvasive brain stimulation can effectively improve cognition, minimize neuropsychiatric symptoms, and lower neurodegenerative biomarkers in patients with Alzheimer's disease. The stimulation can boost global brain network integration with increased connection density in AD patients. By enhancing neuroplasticity and network efficiency, rTMS may offer new treatment options for slowing disease progression and improving cognition in early AD. In clinical practice, high-frequency rTMS could be used along with pharmacological treatments, providing a low-risk and repeatable option for patients. However, the researchers note that before use in standard neurological care, larger and multicenter studies with longer follow-ups are required.

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© 2025 AIIM. Created by AIIM IT Team