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Devices and Technology in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: A Systematic Review. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12091218. [PMID: 36138954 PMCID: PMC9496961 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12091218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The technology for transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has significantly changed over the years, with important improvements in the signal generators, the coils, the positioning systems, and the software for modeling, optimization, and therapy planning. In this systematic literature review (SLR), the evolution of each component of TMS technology is presented and analyzed to assess the limitations to overcome. This SLR was carried out following the PRISMA 2020 statement. Published articles of TMS were searched for in four databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, IEEE). Conference papers and other reviews were excluded. Records were filtered using terms about TMS technology with a semi-automatic software; articles that did not present new technology developments were excluded manually. After this screening, 101 records were included, with 19 articles proposing new stimulator designs (18.8%), 46 presenting or adapting coils (45.5%), 18 proposing systems for coil placement (17.8%), and 43 implementing algorithms for coil optimization (42.6%). The articles were blindly classified by the authors to reduce the risk of bias. However, our results could have been influenced by our research interests, which would affect conclusions for applications in psychiatric and neurological diseases. Our analysis indicates that more emphasis should be placed on optimizing the current technology with a special focus on the experimental validation of models. With this review, we expect to establish the base for future TMS technological developments.
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Preserved central cholinergic functioning to transcranial magnetic stimulation in de novo patients with celiac disease. PLoS One 2021. [PMID: 34914787 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261373.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Celiac disease (CD) is now viewed as a systemic disease with multifaceted clinical manifestations. Among the extra-intestinal features, neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms are still a diagnostic challenge, since they can precede or follow the diagnosis of CD. In particular, it is well known that some adults with CD may complain of cognitive symptoms, that improve when the gluten-free diet (GFD) is started, although they may re-appear after incidental gluten intake. Among the neurophysiological techniques, motor evoked potentials (MEPs) to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can non-invasively probe in vivo the excitation state of cortical areas and cortico-spinal conductivity, being also able to unveil preclinical impairment in several neurological and psychiatric disorders, as well as in some systemic diseases affecting the central nervous system (CNS), such as CD. We previously demonstrated an intracortical disinhibition and hyperfacilitation of MEP responses to TMS in newly diagnosed patients. However, no data are available on the central cholinergic functioning indexed by specific TMS measures, such as the short-latency afferent inhibition (SAI), which might represent the neurophysiological correlate of cognitive changes in CD patients, also at the preclinical level. METHODS Cognitive and depressive symptoms were screened by means of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), respectively, in 15 consecutive de novo CD patients and 15 healthy controls. All patients were on normal diet at the time of the enrolment. Brain computed tomography (CT) was performed in all patients. SAI, recorded at two interstimulus intervals (2 and 8 ms), was assessed as the percentage amplitude ratio between the conditioned and the unconditioned MEP response. Resting motor threshold, MEP amplitude and latency, and central motor conduction time were also measured. RESULTS The two groups were comparable for age, sex, anthropometric features, and educational level. Brain CT ruled out intracranial calcifications and clear radiological abnormalities in all patients. Scores at MoCA and HDRS were significantly worse in patients than in controls. The comparison of TMS data between the two groups revealed no statistically significant difference for all measures, including SAI at both interstimulus intervals. CONCLUSIONS Central cholinergic functioning explored by the SAI of the motor cortex resulted to be not affected in these de novo CD patients compared to age-matched healthy controls. Although the statistically significant difference in MoCA, an overt cognitive impairment was not clinically evident in CD patients. Coherently, to date, no study based on TMS or other diagnostic techniques has shown any involvement of the central acetylcholine or the cholinergic fibers within the CNS in CD. This finding might add support to the vascular inflammation hypothesis underlying the so-called "gluten encephalopathy", which seems to be due to an aetiology different from that of the cholinergic dysfunction. Longitudinal studies correlating clinical, TMS, and neuroimaging data, both before and after GFD, are needed.
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Lanza G, Fisicaro F, D’Agate CC, Ferri R, Cantone M, Falzone L, Pennisi G, Bella R, Hadjivassiliou M, Pennisi M. Preserved central cholinergic functioning to transcranial magnetic stimulation in de novo patients with celiac disease. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0261373. [PMID: 34914787 PMCID: PMC8675755 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Celiac disease (CD) is now viewed as a systemic disease with multifaceted clinical manifestations. Among the extra-intestinal features, neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms are still a diagnostic challenge, since they can precede or follow the diagnosis of CD. In particular, it is well known that some adults with CD may complain of cognitive symptoms, that improve when the gluten-free diet (GFD) is started, although they may re-appear after incidental gluten intake. Among the neurophysiological techniques, motor evoked potentials (MEPs) to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can non-invasively probe in vivo the excitation state of cortical areas and cortico-spinal conductivity, being also able to unveil preclinical impairment in several neurological and psychiatric disorders, as well as in some systemic diseases affecting the central nervous system (CNS), such as CD. We previously demonstrated an intracortical disinhibition and hyperfacilitation of MEP responses to TMS in newly diagnosed patients. However, no data are available on the central cholinergic functioning indexed by specific TMS measures, such as the short-latency afferent inhibition (SAI), which might represent the neurophysiological correlate of cognitive changes in CD patients, also at the preclinical level. METHODS Cognitive and depressive symptoms were screened by means of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), respectively, in 15 consecutive de novo CD patients and 15 healthy controls. All patients were on normal diet at the time of the enrolment. Brain computed tomography (CT) was performed in all patients. SAI, recorded at two interstimulus intervals (2 and 8 ms), was assessed as the percentage amplitude ratio between the conditioned and the unconditioned MEP response. Resting motor threshold, MEP amplitude and latency, and central motor conduction time were also measured. RESULTS The two groups were comparable for age, sex, anthropometric features, and educational level. Brain CT ruled out intracranial calcifications and clear radiological abnormalities in all patients. Scores at MoCA and HDRS were significantly worse in patients than in controls. The comparison of TMS data between the two groups revealed no statistically significant difference for all measures, including SAI at both interstimulus intervals. CONCLUSIONS Central cholinergic functioning explored by the SAI of the motor cortex resulted to be not affected in these de novo CD patients compared to age-matched healthy controls. Although the statistically significant difference in MoCA, an overt cognitive impairment was not clinically evident in CD patients. Coherently, to date, no study based on TMS or other diagnostic techniques has shown any involvement of the central acetylcholine or the cholinergic fibers within the CNS in CD. This finding might add support to the vascular inflammation hypothesis underlying the so-called "gluten encephalopathy", which seems to be due to an aetiology different from that of the cholinergic dysfunction. Longitudinal studies correlating clinical, TMS, and neuroimaging data, both before and after GFD, are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Lanza
- Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Clinical Neurophysiology Research Unit, Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Francesco Fisicaro
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Carmela Cinzia D’Agate
- Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, University Hospital Policlinico “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, Catania, Italy
| | - Raffaele Ferri
- Clinical Neurophysiology Research Unit, Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy
| | - Mariagiovanna Cantone
- Department of Neurology, Sant’Elia Hospital, ASP Caltanissetta, Caltanissetta, Italy
| | - Luca Falzone
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Instituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS “Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | - Giovanni Pennisi
- Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rita Bella
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Marios Hadjivassiliou
- Academic Department of Neurosciences, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Manuela Pennisi
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Candido S, Lupo G, Pennisi M, Basile MS, Anfuso CD, Petralia MC, Gattuso G, Vivarelli S, Spandidos DA, Libra M, Falzone L. The analysis of miRNA expression profiling datasets reveals inverse microRNA patterns in glioblastoma and Alzheimer's disease. Oncol Rep 2019; 42:911-922. [PMID: 31322245 PMCID: PMC6682788 DOI: 10.3892/or.2019.7215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
There is recent evidence to indicate the existence of an inverse association between the incidence of neurological disorders and cancer development. Concurrently, the transcriptional pathways responsible for the onset of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been found to be mutually exclusive between the two pathologies. Despite advancements being made concerning the knowledge of the molecular mechanisms responsible for the development of GBM and AD, little is known about the identity of the microRNA (miRNAs or miRs) involved in the development and progression of these two pathologies and their possible inverse expression patterns. On these bases, the aim of the present study was to identify a set of miRNAs significantly de-regulated in both GBM and AD, and hence to determine whether the identified miRNAs exhibit an inverse association within the two pathologies. For this purpose, miRNA expression profiling datasets derived from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) DataSets and relative to GBM and AD were used. Once the miRNAs significantly de-regulated in both pathologies were identified, DIANA-mirPath pathway prediction and STRING Gene Ontology enrichment analyses were performed to establish their functional roles in each of the pathologies. The results allowed the identification of a set of miRNAs found de-regulated in both GBM and AD, whose expression levels were inversely associated in the two pathologies. In particular, a strong negative association was observed between the expression levels of miRNAs in GBM compared to AD, suggesting that although the molecular pathways behind the development of these two pathologies are the same, they appear to be inversely regulated by miRNAs. Despite the identification of this set of miRNAs which may be used for diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic purposes, further functional in vitro and in vivo evaluations are warranted in order to validate the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of the identified miRNAs, as well as their involvement in the development of GBM and AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saverio Candido
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I‑95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Gabriella Lupo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I‑95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Manuela Pennisi
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I‑95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Maria S Basile
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I‑95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Carmelina D Anfuso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I‑95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Maria C Petralia
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I‑95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Gattuso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I‑95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Silvia Vivarelli
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I‑95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Demetrios A Spandidos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Massimo Libra
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I‑95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Luca Falzone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I‑95123 Catania, Italy
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Cortical involvement in celiac disease before and after long-term gluten-free diet: A Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation study. PLoS One 2017. [PMID: 28489931 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0177560.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in de novo patients with Celiac Disease previously revealed an imbalance in the excitability of cortical facilitatory and inhibitory circuits. After a median period of 16 months of gluten-free diet, a global increase of cortical excitability was reported, suggesting a glutamate-mediated compensation for disease progression. We have now evaluated cross-sectionally the changes of cortical excitability to TMS after a much longer gluten-free diet. METHODS Twenty patients on adequate gluten-free diet for a mean period of 8.35 years were enrolled and compared with 20 de novo patients and 20 healthy controls. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation measures, recorded from the first dorsal interosseous muscle of the dominant hand, consisted of: resting motor threshold, cortical silent period, motor evoked potentials, central motor conduction time, mean short-latency intracortical inhibition and intracortical facilitation. RESULTS The cortical silent period was shorter in de novo patients, whereas in gluten-free diet participants it was similar to controls. The amplitude of motor responses was significantly smaller in all patients than in controls, regardless of the dietary regimen. Notwithstanding the diet, all patients exhibited a statistically significant decrease of mean short-latency intracortical inhibition and enhancement of intracortical facilitation with respect to controls; more intracortical facilitation in gluten-restricted compared to non-restricted patients was also observed. Neurological examination and celiac disease-related antibodies were negative. CONCLUSIONS In this new investigation, the length of dietary regimen was able to modulate the electrocortical changes in celiac disease. Nevertheless, an intracortical synaptic dysfunction, mostly involving excitatory and inhibitory interneurons within the motor cortex, may persist. The clinical significance of subtle neurophysiological changes in celiac disease needs to be further investigated.
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Pennisi M, Lanza G, Cantone M, Ricceri R, Ferri R, D’Agate CC, Pennisi G, Di Lazzaro V, Bella R. Cortical involvement in celiac disease before and after long-term gluten-free diet: A Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation study. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0177560. [PMID: 28489931 PMCID: PMC5425211 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0177560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in de novo patients with Celiac Disease previously revealed an imbalance in the excitability of cortical facilitatory and inhibitory circuits. After a median period of 16 months of gluten-free diet, a global increase of cortical excitability was reported, suggesting a glutamate-mediated compensation for disease progression. We have now evaluated cross-sectionally the changes of cortical excitability to TMS after a much longer gluten-free diet. METHODS Twenty patients on adequate gluten-free diet for a mean period of 8.35 years were enrolled and compared with 20 de novo patients and 20 healthy controls. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation measures, recorded from the first dorsal interosseous muscle of the dominant hand, consisted of: resting motor threshold, cortical silent period, motor evoked potentials, central motor conduction time, mean short-latency intracortical inhibition and intracortical facilitation. RESULTS The cortical silent period was shorter in de novo patients, whereas in gluten-free diet participants it was similar to controls. The amplitude of motor responses was significantly smaller in all patients than in controls, regardless of the dietary regimen. Notwithstanding the diet, all patients exhibited a statistically significant decrease of mean short-latency intracortical inhibition and enhancement of intracortical facilitation with respect to controls; more intracortical facilitation in gluten-restricted compared to non-restricted patients was also observed. Neurological examination and celiac disease-related antibodies were negative. CONCLUSIONS In this new investigation, the length of dietary regimen was able to modulate the electrocortical changes in celiac disease. Nevertheless, an intracortical synaptic dysfunction, mostly involving excitatory and inhibitory interneurons within the motor cortex, may persist. The clinical significance of subtle neurophysiological changes in celiac disease needs to be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Pennisi
- Spinal Unit, Emergency Hospital “Cannizzaro”, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lanza
- Department of Neurology IC, I.R.C.C.S. “Oasi Maria SS.”, Troina, Enna, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Riccardo Ricceri
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Raffaele Ferri
- Department of Neurology IC, I.R.C.C.S. “Oasi Maria SS.”, Troina, Enna, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Pennisi
- Department “Specialità Medico-Chirurgiche”, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Rita Bella
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Correlation between Motor Cortex Excitability Changes and Cognitive Impairment in Vascular Depression: Pathophysiological Insights from a Longitudinal TMS Study. Neural Plast 2016. [PMID: 27525127 DOI: 10.1155/2016/8154969.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) highlighted functional changes in dementia, whereas there are few data in patients with vascular cognitive impairment-no dementia (VCI-ND). Similarly, little is known about the neurophysiological impact of vascular depression (VD) on deterioration of cognitive functions. We test whether depression might affect not only cognition but also specific cortical circuits in subcortical vascular disease. Methods. Sixteen VCI-ND and 11 VD patients, age-matched with 15 controls, underwent a clinical-cognitive, neuroimaging, and TMS assessment. After approximately two years, all participants were prospectively reevaluated. Results. At baseline, a significant more pronounced intracortical facilitation (ICF) was found in VCI-ND patients. Reevaluation revealed an increase of the global excitability in both VCI-ND and VD subjects. At follow-up, the ICF of VCI-ND becomes similar to the other groups. Only VD patients showed cognitive deterioration. Conclusions. Unlike VD, the hyperfacilitation found at baseline in VCI-ND patients suggests enhanced glutamatergic neurotransmission that might contribute to the preservation of cognitive functioning. The hyperexcitability observed at follow-up in both groups of patients also indicates functional changes in glutamatergic neurotransmission. The mechanisms enhancing the risk of dementia in VD might be related either to subcortical vascular lesions or to the lack of compensatory functional cortical changes.
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Bella R, Cantone M, Lanza G, Ferri R, Vinciguerra L, Puglisi V, Pennisi M, Ricceri R, Di Lazzaro V, Pennisi G. Cholinergic circuitry functioning in patients with vascular cognitive impairment--no dementia. Brain Stimul 2016; 9:225-33. [PMID: 26515786 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2015.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2015] [Revised: 09/29/2015] [Accepted: 09/30/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An impairment of central cholinergic activity, as evaluated non-invasively by the short-latency afferent inhibition (SAI) of motor responses evoked by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), was observed in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment. Conversely, the involvement of central cholinergic neurotransmission in vascular dementia (VaD) is still under debate and data on Vascular Cognitive Impairment--No Dementia (VCI-ND) at risk for future VaD are lacking. OBJECTIVE To test for the first time SAI in patients with VCI-ND. METHODS Single-pulse TMS measures of cortical excitability and SAI were evaluated in 25 VCI-ND patients with subcortical ischemic lesions and 20 age-matched healthy controls. Functional status, neuropsychological tests evaluating frontal lobe abilities, and white matter lesions (WMLs) load were assessed. RESULTS A significant difference was found between patients and controls for the mean SAI, although this result did not resist after the Bonferroni correction. In the whole group of patients and controls, SAI showed a correlation with worse scores at the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (r = 0.376, p < 0.01). SAI also positively correlated with the total vascular burden (r = 0.345, p < 0.05) but not with the WML severity. CONCLUSIONS Central cholinergic pathway does not seem to be involved in VCI-ND, and the current results differ from those reported in primary cholinergic forms of dementia, such as AD. SAI might represent a valuable additional tool in the differential diagnosis of the dementing processes and in identifying potential responders to cholinergic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Bella
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Mariagiovanna Cantone
- Department of Neurology I.C., "Oasi" Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging (I.R.C.C.S.), Troina (EN), Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lanza
- Department of Neurology I.C., "Oasi" Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging (I.R.C.C.S.), Troina (EN), Italy
| | - Raffaele Ferri
- Department of Neurology I.C., "Oasi" Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging (I.R.C.C.S.), Troina (EN), Italy
| | - Luisa Vinciguerra
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Valentina Puglisi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Manuela Pennisi
- Spinal Unit, Emergency Hospital "Cannizzaro", Catania, Italy
| | - Riccardo Ricceri
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Pennisi
- Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
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Pennisi M, Lanza G, Cantone M, Ricceri R, Spampinato C, Pennisi G, Di Lazzaro V, Bella R. Correlation between Motor Cortex Excitability Changes and Cognitive Impairment in Vascular Depression: Pathophysiological Insights from a Longitudinal TMS Study. Neural Plast 2016; 2016:8154969. [PMID: 27525127 PMCID: PMC4971324 DOI: 10.1155/2016/8154969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Revised: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 05/30/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) highlighted functional changes in dementia, whereas there are few data in patients with vascular cognitive impairment-no dementia (VCI-ND). Similarly, little is known about the neurophysiological impact of vascular depression (VD) on deterioration of cognitive functions. We test whether depression might affect not only cognition but also specific cortical circuits in subcortical vascular disease. Methods. Sixteen VCI-ND and 11 VD patients, age-matched with 15 controls, underwent a clinical-cognitive, neuroimaging, and TMS assessment. After approximately two years, all participants were prospectively reevaluated. Results. At baseline, a significant more pronounced intracortical facilitation (ICF) was found in VCI-ND patients. Reevaluation revealed an increase of the global excitability in both VCI-ND and VD subjects. At follow-up, the ICF of VCI-ND becomes similar to the other groups. Only VD patients showed cognitive deterioration. Conclusions. Unlike VD, the hyperfacilitation found at baseline in VCI-ND patients suggests enhanced glutamatergic neurotransmission that might contribute to the preservation of cognitive functioning. The hyperexcitability observed at follow-up in both groups of patients also indicates functional changes in glutamatergic neurotransmission. The mechanisms enhancing the risk of dementia in VD might be related either to subcortical vascular lesions or to the lack of compensatory functional cortical changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Pennisi
- 1Spinal Unit, Emergency Hospital “Cannizzaro”, 95126 Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lanza
- 2Department of Neurology I.C., “Oasi” Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging (I.R.C.C.S.), 94018 Troina, Italy
| | - Mariagiovanna Cantone
- 2Department of Neurology I.C., “Oasi” Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging (I.R.C.C.S.), 94018 Troina, Italy
| | - Riccardo Ricceri
- 3Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Concetto Spampinato
- 4Department of Electrical, Electronics and Informatics Engineering, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Giovanni Pennisi
- 5Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Di Lazzaro
- 6Department of Medicine, Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Bella
- 3Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
- *Rita Bella:
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Effect of a Gluten-Free Diet on Cortical Excitability in Adults with Celiac Disease. PLoS One 2015. [PMID: 26053324 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129218.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION An imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory synaptic excitability was observed in de novo patients with celiac disease (CD) in a previous study with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), suggesting a subclinical involvement of GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission in asymptomatic patients. The aim of this investigation was to monitor the eventual changes in the same cohort of patients, evaluated after a period of gluten-free diet. METHODS Patients were re-evaluated after a median period of 16 months during which an adequate gluten-free diet was maintained. Clinical, cognitive and neuropsychiatric assessment was repeated, as well as cortical excitability by means of single- and paired-pulse TMS from the first dorsal interosseous muscle of the dominant hand. RESULTS Compared to baseline, patients showed a significant decrease of the median resting motor threshold (from 35% to 33%, p<0.01). The other single-pulse (cortical silent period, motor evoked potentials latency and amplitude, central motor conduction time) and paired-pulse TMS measures (intracortical inhibition and intracortical facilitation) did not change significantly after the follow-up period. Antibodies were still present in 7 subjects. DISCUSSION In patients under a gluten-free diet, a global increase of cortical excitability was observed, suggesting a glutamate-mediated functional reorganization compensating for disease progression. We hypothesize that glutamate receptor activation, probably triggered by CD-related immune system dysregulation, might result in a long-lasting motor cortex hyperexcitability with increased excitatory post-synaptic potentials, probably related to phenomena of long-term plasticity. The impact of the gluten-free diet on subclinical neurological abnormalities needs to be further explored.
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Fanjul-Vélez F, Salas-García I, Ortega-Quijano N, Arce-Diego JL. FDTD-based Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation model applied to specific neurodegenerative disorders. COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE 2015; 118:34-43. [PMID: 25453382 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2014.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2014] [Revised: 10/02/2014] [Accepted: 10/09/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Non-invasive treatment of neurodegenerative diseases is particularly challenging in Western countries, where the population age is increasing. In this work, magnetic propagation in human head is modelled by Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) method, taking into account specific characteristics of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) in neurodegenerative diseases. It uses a realistic high-resolution three-dimensional human head mesh. The numerical method is applied to the analysis of magnetic radiation distribution in the brain using two realistic magnetic source models: a circular coil and a figure-8 coil commonly employed in TMS. The complete model was applied to the study of magnetic stimulation in Alzheimer and Parkinson Diseases (AD, PD). The results show the electrical field distribution when magnetic stimulation is supplied to those brain areas of specific interest for each particular disease. Thereby the current approach entails a high potential for the establishment of the current underdeveloped TMS dosimetry in its emerging application to AD and PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Félix Fanjul-Vélez
- Applied Optical Techniques Group, Electronics Technology, Systems and Automation Engineering Department, University of Cantabria, Avenida de los Castros S/N, 39005 Santander, Spain.
| | - Irene Salas-García
- Applied Optical Techniques Group, Electronics Technology, Systems and Automation Engineering Department, University of Cantabria, Avenida de los Castros S/N, 39005 Santander, Spain
| | - Noé Ortega-Quijano
- Applied Optical Techniques Group, Electronics Technology, Systems and Automation Engineering Department, University of Cantabria, Avenida de los Castros S/N, 39005 Santander, Spain
| | - José Luis Arce-Diego
- Applied Optical Techniques Group, Electronics Technology, Systems and Automation Engineering Department, University of Cantabria, Avenida de los Castros S/N, 39005 Santander, Spain
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Lanza G, Lanuzza B, Aricò D, Cantone M, Cosentino FII, Pennisi M, Bella R, Pennisi G, Ferri R. Direct comparison of cortical excitability to transcranial magnetic stimulation in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and restless legs syndrome. Sleep Med 2015; 16:138-42. [PMID: 25534710 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2014.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2014] [Revised: 08/10/2014] [Accepted: 08/26/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Changes to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) have been reported in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and restless legs syndrome (RLS), although no direct comparison study is available. The aim of this new investigation is to assess and compare cortical excitability of OSAS and RLS patients using the same methodology and under the same experimental conditions. METHODS Fourteen patients with OSAS and 12 with RLS were compared to 14 age-matched controls. All patients were untreated and had a severe degree of disease. Resting motor threshold (rMT), cortical silent period (CSP) and motor evoked potentials MEPs, as well as intracortical inhibition (ICI) and facilitation at interstimulus interval (ISI) of 3 and 10 ms, respectively, were explored from the right first dorsal interosseous muscle, during wakefulness. RESULTS rMT was higher in OSAS than in RLS and controls. CSP was shorter in RLS only when compared to apneic patients, whereas it was similar between OSAS and controls. OSAS subjects exhibited slightly prolonged central motor conductivity, whereas MEP amplitude was smaller in both patient groups. The ICI ratio at ISI of 3 ms was decreased in RLS patients only. CONCLUSIONS Distinct changes of responses at TMS were found, probably connected with the different neurophysiological substrates underlying OSAS and RLS and could not be interpreted as a mere reflection of the effects of sleep architecture alteration. TMS can be considered an additional tool for the understanding of clinical and pathophysiological aspects of sleep disorders, and possibly for the evaluation of the effect of therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Lanza
- Department of Neurology I.C., Oasi Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging (IRCCS), Via Conte Ruggero, 73 - 94018 Troina (EN), Italy.
| | - Bartolo Lanuzza
- Department of Neurology I.C., Oasi Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging (IRCCS), Via Conte Ruggero, 73 - 94018 Troina (EN), Italy
| | - Debora Aricò
- Department of Neurology I.C., Oasi Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging (IRCCS), Via Conte Ruggero, 73 - 94018 Troina (EN), Italy
| | - Mariagiovanna Cantone
- Department of Chemistry, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria, 6 - 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Filomena Irene Ilaria Cosentino
- Department of Neurology I.C., Oasi Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging (IRCCS), Via Conte Ruggero, 73 - 94018 Troina (EN), Italy
| | - Manuela Pennisi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria, 6 - 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Rita Bella
- Department "G.F. Ingrassia", Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania. Via Santa Sofia, 78 - 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Giovanni Pennisi
- Department "G.F. Ingrassia", Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania. Via Santa Sofia, 78 - 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Raffaele Ferri
- Department of Neurology I.C., Oasi Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging (IRCCS), Via Conte Ruggero, 73 - 94018 Troina (EN), Italy
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Bella R, Lanza G, Cantone M, Giuffrida S, Puglisi V, Vinciguerra L, Pennisi M, Ricceri R, D’Agate CC, Malaguarnera G, Ferri R, Pennisi G. Effect of a Gluten-Free Diet on Cortical Excitability in Adults with Celiac Disease. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0129218. [PMID: 26053324 PMCID: PMC4460029 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 05/06/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION An imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory synaptic excitability was observed in de novo patients with celiac disease (CD) in a previous study with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), suggesting a subclinical involvement of GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission in asymptomatic patients. The aim of this investigation was to monitor the eventual changes in the same cohort of patients, evaluated after a period of gluten-free diet. METHODS Patients were re-evaluated after a median period of 16 months during which an adequate gluten-free diet was maintained. Clinical, cognitive and neuropsychiatric assessment was repeated, as well as cortical excitability by means of single- and paired-pulse TMS from the first dorsal interosseous muscle of the dominant hand. RESULTS Compared to baseline, patients showed a significant decrease of the median resting motor threshold (from 35% to 33%, p<0.01). The other single-pulse (cortical silent period, motor evoked potentials latency and amplitude, central motor conduction time) and paired-pulse TMS measures (intracortical inhibition and intracortical facilitation) did not change significantly after the follow-up period. Antibodies were still present in 7 subjects. DISCUSSION In patients under a gluten-free diet, a global increase of cortical excitability was observed, suggesting a glutamate-mediated functional reorganization compensating for disease progression. We hypothesize that glutamate receptor activation, probably triggered by CD-related immune system dysregulation, might result in a long-lasting motor cortex hyperexcitability with increased excitatory post-synaptic potentials, probably related to phenomena of long-term plasticity. The impact of the gluten-free diet on subclinical neurological abnormalities needs to be further explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Bella
- Department ‘‘G.F. Ingrassia”, Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lanza
- Department of Neurology I.C., “Oasi” Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging (I.R.C.C.S.), Troina (EN), Italy
| | - Mariagiovanna Cantone
- Department of Neurology I.C., “Oasi” Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging (I.R.C.C.S.), Troina (EN), Italy
| | - Salvatore Giuffrida
- Department ‘‘G.F. Ingrassia”, Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Valentina Puglisi
- Department ‘‘G.F. Ingrassia”, Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Luisa Vinciguerra
- Department ‘‘G.F. Ingrassia”, Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Manuela Pennisi
- Spinal Unit, Emergency Hospital “Cannizzaro”, Catania, Italy
| | - Riccardo Ricceri
- Department ‘‘G.F. Ingrassia”, Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | | | - Raffaele Ferri
- Department of Neurology I.C., “Oasi” Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging (I.R.C.C.S.), Troina (EN), Italy
| | - Giovanni Pennisi
- Department“Specialità Medico-Chirurgiche”, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Excitability of the motor cortex in de novo patients with celiac disease. PLoS One 2014. [PMID: 25062250 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0102790.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Celiac disease (CD) may initially present as a neurological disorder or may be complicated by neurological changes. To date, neurophysiological studies aiming to an objective evaluation of the potential central nervous system involvement in CD are lacking. OBJECTIVE To assess the profile of cortical excitability to Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) in a group of de novo CD patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty CD patients underwent a screening for cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms by means of the Mini Mental State Examination and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders, respectively. Instrumental exams, including electroencephalography and brain computed tomography, were also performed. Cortico-spinal excitability was assessed by means of single and paired-pulse TMS using the first dorsal interosseus muscle of the dominant hand. TMS measures consisted of resting motor threshold, motor evoked potentials, cortical silent period (CSP), intracortical inhibition (ICI) and facilitation (ICF). None of the CD was on gluten-free diet. A group of 20 age-matched healthy controls was used for comparisons. RESULTS CD showed a significantly shorter CSP (78.0 vs 125.0 ms, p<0.025), a reduced ICI (0.3 vs 0.2, p<0.045) and an enhanced ICF (1.1 vs 0.7, p<0.042) compared to controls. A dysthymic disorder was identified in five patients. The effect size between dysthymic and non-dysthymic CD patients indicated a low probability of interference with the CSP (Cohen's d -0.414), ICI (-0.278) and ICF (-0.292) measurements. CONCLUSION A pattern of cortical excitability characterized by "disinhibition" and "hyperfacilitation" was found in CD patients. Immune system dysregulation might play a central role in triggering changes of the motor cortex excitability.
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Pennisi G, Lanza G, Giuffrida S, Vinciguerra L, Puglisi V, Cantone M, Pennisi M, D'Agate CC, Naso P, Aprile G, Malaguarnera G, Ferri R, Bella R. Excitability of the motor cortex in de novo patients with celiac disease. PLoS One 2014; 9:e102790. [PMID: 25062250 PMCID: PMC4111288 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0102790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2014] [Accepted: 06/20/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Celiac disease (CD) may initially present as a neurological disorder or may be complicated by neurological changes. To date, neurophysiological studies aiming to an objective evaluation of the potential central nervous system involvement in CD are lacking. OBJECTIVE To assess the profile of cortical excitability to Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) in a group of de novo CD patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty CD patients underwent a screening for cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms by means of the Mini Mental State Examination and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders, respectively. Instrumental exams, including electroencephalography and brain computed tomography, were also performed. Cortico-spinal excitability was assessed by means of single and paired-pulse TMS using the first dorsal interosseus muscle of the dominant hand. TMS measures consisted of resting motor threshold, motor evoked potentials, cortical silent period (CSP), intracortical inhibition (ICI) and facilitation (ICF). None of the CD was on gluten-free diet. A group of 20 age-matched healthy controls was used for comparisons. RESULTS CD showed a significantly shorter CSP (78.0 vs 125.0 ms, p<0.025), a reduced ICI (0.3 vs 0.2, p<0.045) and an enhanced ICF (1.1 vs 0.7, p<0.042) compared to controls. A dysthymic disorder was identified in five patients. The effect size between dysthymic and non-dysthymic CD patients indicated a low probability of interference with the CSP (Cohen's d -0.414), ICI (-0.278) and ICF (-0.292) measurements. CONCLUSION A pattern of cortical excitability characterized by "disinhibition" and "hyperfacilitation" was found in CD patients. Immune system dysregulation might play a central role in triggering changes of the motor cortex excitability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Pennisi
- Department “G.F. Ingrassia”, Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Giuseppe Lanza
- Department of Neurology I.C., Oasi Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging (I.R.C.C.S.), Troina (Enna), Italy
| | - Salvatore Giuffrida
- Department “G.F. Ingrassia”, Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Luisa Vinciguerra
- Department “G.F. Ingrassia”, Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Valentina Puglisi
- Department “G.F. Ingrassia”, Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Manuela Pennisi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Pietro Naso
- Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Aprile
- Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Raffaele Ferri
- Department of Neurology I.C., Oasi Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging (I.R.C.C.S.), Troina (Enna), Italy
| | - Rita Bella
- Department “G.F. Ingrassia”, Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Concerto C, Lanza G, Cantone M, Pennisi M, Giordano D, Spampinato C, Ricceri R, Pennisi G, Aguglia E, Bella R. Different patterns of cortical excitability in major depression and vascular depression: a transcranial magnetic stimulation study. BMC Psychiatry 2013; 13:300. [PMID: 24206945 PMCID: PMC4226249 DOI: 10.1186/1471-244x-13-300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2013] [Accepted: 10/29/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical and functional studies consider major depression (MD) and vascular depression (VD) as different neurobiological processes. Hypoexcitability of the left frontal cortex to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is frequently reported in MD, whereas little is known about the effects of TMS in VD. Thus, we aimed to assess and compare motor cortex excitability in patients with VD and MD. METHODS Eleven VD patients, 11 recurrent drug-resistant MD patients, and 11 healthy controls underwent clinical, neuropsychological and neuroimaging evaluations in addition to bilateral resting motor threshold, cortical silent period, and paired-pulse TMS curves of intracortical excitability. All patients continued on psychotropic drugs, which were unchanged throughout the study. RESULTS Scores on one of the tests evaluating frontal lobe abilities (Stroop Color-Word interference test) were worse in patients compared with controls. The resting motor threshold in patients with MD was significantly higher in the left hemisphere compared with the right (p < 0.05), and compared with the VD patients and controls. The cortical silent period was bilaterally prolonged in MD patients compared with VD patients and controls, with a statistically significant difference in the left hemisphere (p < 0.01). No differences were observed in the paired-pulse curves between patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS This study showed distinctive patterns of motor cortex excitability between late-onset depression with subcortical vascular disease and early-onset recurrent drug resistant MD. The data provide a TMS model of the different processes underlying VD and MD. Additionally, our results support the "Vascular depression hypothesis" at the neurophysiological level, and confirm the inter-hemispheric asymmetry to TMS in patients with MD. We were unable to support previous findings of impaired intracortical inhibitory mechanisms to TMS in patients with MD, although a drug-induced effect on our results cannot be excluded. This study may aid the understanding of the pathogenetic differences underlying the clinical spectrum of depressive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Concerto
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 78-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lanza
- Department “G.F. Ingrassia”, Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 78-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Mariagiovanna Cantone
- Department “G.F. Ingrassia”, Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 78-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Manuela Pennisi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Daniela Giordano
- Department of Electrical, Electronics and Informatics Engineering, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Concetto Spampinato
- Department of Electrical, Electronics and Informatics Engineering, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Riccardo Ricceri
- Department “G.F. Ingrassia”, Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 78-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Giovanni Pennisi
- Department “G.F. Ingrassia”, Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 78-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Eugenio Aguglia
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 78-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Rita Bella
- Department “G.F. Ingrassia”, Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 78-95123 Catania, Italy
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Spampinato C, Aguglia E, Concerto C, Pennisi M, Lanza G, Bella R, Cantone M, Pennisi G, Kavasidis I, Giordano D. Transcranial magnetic stimulation in the assessment of motor cortex excitability and treatment of drug-resistant major depression. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng 2013; 21:391-403. [PMID: 23559064 DOI: 10.1109/tnsre.2013.2256432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Major depression is one of the leading causes of disabling condition worldwide and its treatment is often challenging and unsatisfactory, since many patients become refractory to pharmacological therapies. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive neurophysiological investigation mainly used to study the integrity of the primary motor cortex excitability and of the cortico-spinal tract. The development of paired-pulse and repetitive TMS (rTMS) paradigms has allowed investigators to explore the pathophysiology of depressive disorders and other neuropsychiatric diseases linked to brain excitability dysfunctions. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation has also therapeutic and rehabilitative capabilities since it is able to induce changes in the excitability of inhibitory and excitatory neuronal networks that may persist in time. However, the therapeutic effects of rTMS on major depression have been demonstrated by analyzing only the improvement of neuropsychological performance. The aim of this study was to investigate cortical excitability changes on 12 chronically-medicated depressed patients (test group) after rTMS treatment and to correlate neurophysiological findings to neuropsychological outcomes. In detail, we assessed different parameters of cortical excitability before and after active rTMS in the test group, then compared to those of 10 age-matched depressed patients (control group) who underwent sham rTMS. In line with previous studies, at baseline both groups exhibited a significant interhemispheric difference of motor cortex excitability. This neurophysiological imbalance was then reduced in the patients treated with active rTMS, resulting also in a clinical benefit as demonstrated by the improvement in neuropsychological test scores. On the contrary, after sham rTMS, the interhemispheric difference was still evident in the control group. The reported clinical benefits in the test group might be related to the plastic remodeling of synaptic connection induced by rTMS treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Spampinato
- Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy.
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