Category: Parkinson's Disease: Neuroimaging
Objective: To test effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for hypokinetic dysarthria in PD on white matter integrity changes of the left anterior arcuate fasciculus, which connects the auditory feedback area with motor regions involved in articulation
Background: Hypokinetic dysarthria is common in PD. In our previous research we showed that repeated sessions of rTMS over the auditory feedback area lead to improvement of hypokinetic dysarthria in PD.
Method: PD patients with mild to moderate hypokinetic dysarthria were assigned to ten sessions of real or sham 1 Hz stimulation over the right posterior superior temporal gyrus. Stimulation effects were evaluated using magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging and a validated behavioural tool (3F Test). Fractional anisotropy was our parameter of interest. Linear mixed models were run to determine the effects of rTMS on speech performance and diffusivity measures within our ROI (anterior arcuate fasciculus).
Results: Altogether 33 patients completed the study. A linear mixed model revealed significant time-by-group interaction (p = 0.002) for the fractional anisotropy of the anterior arcuate fasciculus; the value increases were associated with 3F Test changes (R = 0.251, p = 0.044). We did not find any significant time-by-treatment interaction for the DTI metrics in the right arcuate fasciculus or left corticospinal tract.
Conclusion: The enhancement of the auditory-motor loop may at least partially underlie the positive effects of repeated sessions of rTMS on hypokinetic dysarthria in PD.
References: Brabenec L, Klobusiakova P, Simko P, Kostalova M, Mekyska J, Rektorova I. Non-invasive brain stimulation for speech in Parkinson’s disease: A randomized controlled trial. Brain Stimulation 2021;14:571–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BRS.2021.03.010.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
I. Rektorova, L. Brabenec, M. Kostalova, A. Sejnoha-Minsterova. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for hypokinetic dysarthria in PD enhances white matter integrity in the auditory-motor loop tract [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2022; 37 (suppl 2). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/repetitive-transcranial-magnetic-stimulation-for-hypokinetic-dysarthria-in-pd-enhances-white-matter-integrity-in-the-auditory-motor-loop-tract/. Accessed May 13, 2025.« Back to 2022 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/repetitive-transcranial-magnetic-stimulation-for-hypokinetic-dysarthria-in-pd-enhances-white-matter-integrity-in-the-auditory-motor-loop-tract/