The purpose of this study is to examine whether the rTMS (repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) could change cortical excitability measured by off-line EEG in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) patients.
Upon meeting the inclusion criteria and providing informed consent, each participant will complete a series of 21 sessions of rTMS over the course of four weeks.During the first visit, they will be asked to undergo 1 hour of EEG (Electroencephalograph) before they start the repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation sessions (rTMS), 0.5-hour of memory testing using MoCA and Trail Making Test (Trial A and B), 1 hour of rTMS and 1 hour of EEG after rTMS. The second visit will start approximately 24-72 hours after the first visit. During visit 2 to visit 20, participants will receive about 1 hour of TMS session 5 days a week for 4 weeks. During the 21st visit, which will be approximately one day after the last TMS session, participants will be asked to repeat 1 hour of EEG before TMS; 0.5-hour of memory testing using MoCA and Trail Making Test (Trial A and B), 1 hour TMS and 1 hour of EEG after TMS. For this study, a questionnaire concerning any potential side effects will be administrated before and after each session.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
5
Regional Mental Health Care London
London, Ontario, Canada
A change in the quantitative EEG spectra in the frontal lobe, i.e. a change in percentage of theta waves, alpha and beta waves
We anticipate that rTMS exposure will result in a change in cortical excitability as evident by lowering the percentage of low frequency waves (delta and theta waves)in the cortical area under the stimulation site (left prefrontal cortex) and in functionally connected areas (contralateral cortex, inferior parietal cortex)as assessed by the EEG waves after 4 weeks of rTMS treatment.
Time frame: 4 weeks
Improvement on memory and attention
We will explore the potential for improvement in memory and/or attention as asessed by MoCA and the Trail Making Test Part A and the Trail Making Test Part B, after 4 weeks of rTMS treatment.
Time frame: 4 weeks
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