title: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation effects on brain function and cognition among elders with memory dysfunction. A randomized sham-controlled study.
abstract: In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on memory performance and brain activity in elders presenting with subjective memory complaints and a memory performance within the low normal range. Forty participants underwent 2 functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) sessions, in which they were administered 2 equivalent face-name memory tasks. Following each fMRI, subjects were asked to pair faces with their corresponding proper name. In-between, high-frequency rTMS was applied randomly using real or sham stimulation in a double-blind design. Only subjects who received active rTMS improved in associative memory significantly. This was accompanied by additional recruitment of right prefrontal and bilaterial posterior cortical regions at the second fMRI session, relative to baseline scanning. Our findings reflect a potentiality of rTMS to recruit compensatory networks, which participate during the memory-encoding process. Present results represent the first evidence that rTMS is capable of transitorily and positively influencing brain function and cognition among elders with memory complaints.
authors.affiliation: Department de Psiquiatria i Psicobiologia Clínica, Universitat de Barcelona, and Servei de Neurologia, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Solé-Padullés
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bartrés-Faz
authors.forename: Carme
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Junqué
authors.forename: Imma C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Clemente
authors.forename: José Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Molinuevo
authors.forename: Núria
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bargalló
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Aldeguer
authors.forename: Beatriu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bosch
authors.forename: Carles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Falcón
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Valls-Solé
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D046690:Deep Brain Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015990:Placebo Effect; D016896:Treatment Outcome