Efficacy of TMS and Cognitive Training in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Study

Authors

  • Flavia Mattioli Neuropsychology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Via Nikolajewka 13, 25123, Brescia, Italy Author
  • Chiara Stampatori Neuropsychology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Via Nikolajewka 13, 25123, Brescia, Italy Author
  • Alice Belleri Neuropsychology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Via Nikolajewka 13, 25123, Brescia, Italy Author
  • Michela Pignoli Neuropsychology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Via Nikolajewka 13, 25123, Brescia, Italy Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47363/JNRRR/2021(3)145

Keywords:

Cognitive, Pilot Study, TMS, Neuropsychology

Abstract

Purpose: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique with the potential to improve memory. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which still lacks a specific therapy, is a clinical syndrome associated with increased risk of dementia. This study aims to assess the effects of deep TMS (dTMS) on a group of 10 patients diagnosed with amnesic MCI.

Methods: We compared the effects of TMS COG treatment (dTMS delivered with H7 helmet for ten daily sessions together with cognitive training of memory and attention), with those of COG treatment (cognitive training alone) of the same duration.

Results: Neuropsychological evaluation at baseline, after TMS COG treatment, after COG treatment and at six months follow up, compared with ANOVA, revealed a significant group-by-time interaction (???? = 0.05), favoring the TMS COG treatment for memory tests. The improvement was kept after six months. Other neuropsychological tests were not significantly affected by treatment.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that dTMS might be effective as a therapy for MCI and probably a tool to delay cognitive deterioration.

Author Biographies

  • Flavia Mattioli, Neuropsychology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Via Nikolajewka 13, 25123, Brescia, Italy

    Neuropsychology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Via Nikolajewka 13, 25123, Brescia, Italy

  • Chiara Stampatori, Neuropsychology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Via Nikolajewka 13, 25123, Brescia, Italy

    Neuropsychology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Via Nikolajewka 13, 25123, Brescia, Italy

  • Alice Belleri, Neuropsychology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Via Nikolajewka 13, 25123, Brescia, Italy

    Neuropsychology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Via Nikolajewka 13, 25123, Brescia, Italy

  • Michela Pignoli, Neuropsychology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Via Nikolajewka 13, 25123, Brescia, Italy

    Neuropsychology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Via Nikolajewka 13, 25123, Brescia, Italy

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Published

2021-09-15

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 3 (2021): Volume 3 Issue 3

Section

Articles