Objective: We hypothesized that the regularly repeated rTMS would decrease the development of PD and that there might be a synergistic effect with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). We wished to determine whether NBS would differentially affect motor and mental symptoms.

Background: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) may influence the progression of PD compared with levodopa but neither long-term psychiatric effects of repeated administration nor the predictive value of Non-invasive Brain Stimulation (NBS) remain uncertain.

Methods: Thirty patients with PD were stimulated with 1 Hz rTMS every half year for 1.5 years with additional tDCS over the cerebellum for the next 2 years. UPDRS, Trail Making Test and dual tests were used for assessment and linear regression analyses of annual incremental changes were analyzed by ANOVA.

Results: Annual progression rates using UPDRS was 2% for 3.5 years, 0.6% ≤ 65 years, 3.6% > 65 years. The increment approximately zero during the rTMS + tDCS stimulations in patients ≤ 65 years. tTMS and tDCS >65 yrs improved pathological executive function.

Conclusions: Motor ability was maintained in patients ≤ 65 years but not > 65 years. Cognitive function of older patients was influenced by rTMS and tDCS. Significance: rTMS and tDCS can slow PD progression with no side effects.

References: Málly, J., Farkas, R., Tóthfalusi, L., Stone, T.W., 2004. Long term follow-up study with repetitive trascranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in Parkinson’s disease. Brain Res. Bull. 64, 259-263. Málly, J., Geisz, N., Dinya, E., 2017. Follow-up study: The influence of rTMS with high and low frequency stimulation on motor and executive function in Parkinson’s disease. Brain Res. Bull. 135, 98-104.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/background-transcranial-magnetic-stimulation-rtms-may-influence-the-progression-of-pd/