Transcranial magnetic stimulation and BDNF plasma levels in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Low- and high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the motor cortex results in lasting changes of excitatory neurotransmission. We investigated the effects of suprathreshold 1 Hz rTMS on brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plasma levels in 10 healthy subjects and effects of either 1 Hz or 20 Hz rTMS in four amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. BDNF levels were progressively decreased by 1 Hz rTMS in healthy subjects; there was no effect of 1 Hz rTMS on BDNF plasma levels in ALS patients, an effect probably due to the loss of motor cortex pyramidal cells. High frequency rTMS determined a transitory decrease in BDNF plasma levels. Cumulatively these findings suggest that rTMS might influence the BDNF production by interfering with neuronal activity.
Angelucci
Francesco
F
Institute of Neurology, Catholic University, Largo Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy.
Oliviero
Antonio
A
Pilato
Fabio
F
Saturno
Eleonora
E
Dileone
Michele
M
Versace
Viviana
V
Musumeci
Gabriella
G
Batocchi
Anna P
AP
Tonali
Pietro A
PA
Di Lazzaro
Vincenzo
V
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D012016:Reference Values; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor