Exploring a new approach to treating brain injury: anti-inflammatory effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields

Non-invasive brain stimulation as therapeutic approach for ischemic stroke: Insights into the (sub)cellular mechanisms

Although spontaneous recovery can occur following ischemic stroke due to endogenous neuronal reorganization and neuroplastic events, the degree of functional improvement is highly variable, causing many patients to remain permanently impaired. In the last decades, non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques have emerged as potential add-on interventions to the standard neurorehabilitation programs to improve post-stroke recovery. Due to their ability to modulate cortical excitability and to induce neuroreparative processes in the brain, multiple studies have assessed the safety, efficacy and (sub)cellular mechanisms of NIBS following ischemic stroke. In this review, an overview will be provided of the different NIBS techniques that are currently being investigated in (pre)clinical stroke studies. The NIBS therapies that will be discussed include transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation and extremely low frequency electromagnetic stimulation. First, an overview will be given of the cellular mechanisms induced by NIBS that are associated with enhanced stroke outcome in preclinical models. Furthermore, the current knowledge on safety and efficacy of these NIBS techniques in stroke patients will be reviewed.

Transcranial low-frequency pulsating electromagnetic fields (T-PEMF) as post-concussion syndrome treatment

Background

Treatment options for the subgroup of people who develop long‐lasting symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury are limited. Transcranial pulsating low‐frequency electromagnetic stimulation (T‐PEMF) in other patient groups has shown promising results in several studies with proposed neuroprotective and anti‐inflammatory effects.

Objective

The present pilot study was conducted to access feasibility and tolerability of T‐PEMF in treating post‐concussion syndrome.

Methods

Seven patients with post‐concussion syndrome received 5 weeks of daily 30 minutes T‐PEMF treatment with evaluation after 2 and 5 weeks and 3 months after ending treatment.

Results

Compliance was high as all subject completed the full treatment. Two patients however experienced a worsening of their concussion symptoms during the course of treatment. The remaining patients had some discomfort in relation to treatment, mainly headache, but passing and less for each treatment. The majority (n = 5) had a reduction in symptoms overall, up to 61% (2%‐61%) based on the Rivermead Post‐Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire.

Conclusion

Further studies on T‐PEMF as a treatment option for post‐concussion syndrome are warranted.