The effects of different frequencies of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on intracranial neurotransmitters in patients with swallowing disorders after cerebral infarction

Abstract

Objective To study the improvements and mechanism of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on swallowing disorders after cerebral infarction. Methods A total of 60 patients with swallowing disorders were randomly assigned to receive high/low-frequency rTMS treatment, another 30 patients without rTMS treatment were included in the control group. The Kubota’s water-swallowing test, video fluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), and major intracranial neurotransmitters were analyzed before and after treatment. Results No significant difference was observed in the Kubota’s water-swallowing test scores, the VFSS scores, or the levels of intracranial neurotransmitters between the three groups before treatment. The Kubota’s water-swallowing test scores were significantly reduced after high-frequency rTMS treatment than in the control group; the aspiration degree was significantly increased after high-frequency rTMS treatment than in the control group; the levels of glutamate and dopamine were significantly increased after high-frequency rTMS treatment than in the control group; Moreover, the Kubota’s water-swallowing test scores were significantly reduced after high-frequency rTMS treatment than after low-frequency rTMS treatment; the levels of glutamate and dopamine were significantly increased after high-frequency rTMS treatment than after low-frequency rTMS treatment. Conclusions High-frequency rTMS was effective for swallowing disorders, which may be related to increased levels of intracranial glutamate and dopamine.

Therapeutic efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in an animal model of Alzheimer’s disease

“…4). Clinical studies of rTMS showed dopamine release induced by most high-frequency stimulation rather than low-frequency stimulation 19,[39][40][41] . Elevation of BDNF expression seems to be significant, as it plays an important role in enhancing spatial working memory in the hippocampus through activation of BDNF-mediated NMDA receptors 42 .…”