title: The effects of low frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) and sham condition rTMS on behavioural language in chronic non-fluent aphasia: Short term outcomes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The application of low frequency (1 Hz) Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) to right hemisphere (RH) language homologues in non-fluent aphasic populations has yielded improvements in behavioural language function, up to 43 months post stimulation. Functional imaging studies have demonstrated RH language homologue "overactivation" post left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) damage, in chronic non-fluent aphasia. The effects of low frequency (inhibitory) rTMS are postulated to be as a result of a reduction of overactivation in RH language homologues, facilitating the reorganisation of neural language networks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Low frequency (1 Hz) rTMS was applied to the anterior portion of a Broca's area homologue (pars triangularis), for 20 minutes per day for 10 days, using a stereotactic neuronavigational system. Twelve non-fluent aphasic patients (six real stimulation and six sham), 2-10 years post stroke were stimulated. Behavioural language outcome measures were taken at baseline and 1 week post rTMS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Comparisons between the real stimulation and sham conditions indicated significant main effects between the stimulation and sham groups to 1 week post stimulation for naming accuracy, latency and repetition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicates that rTMS has the capacity to modulate neural language networks, to facilitate improvements in behavioural language function, 1 week post TMS.
authors: Centre for Neurogenic Communication Disorders Research, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland, Australia. c.barwood@uq.edu.au
authors: Caroline H S
authors: CH
authors: Barwood
authors: Bruce E
authors: BE
authors: Murdoch
authors: Brooke-Mai
authors: BM
authors: Whelan
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Lloyd
authors: Stephan
authors: S
authors: Riek
authors: John
authors: J
authors: O'Sullivan
authors: Alan
authors: A
authors: Coulthard
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Wong
authors: Phil
authors: P
authors: Aitken
authors: Graham
authors: G
authors: Hall
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001037:Aphasia / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D007802:Language; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D038361:Neuronavigation / Q000379:methods; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome