Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease affecting upper and lower motor neurons characterized by progressive weakness, respiratory failure and death within 3-5 years. It has been proposed that glutamate-related excitotoxicity may promote motor neuron death in ALS. Glutamatergic circuits of the human motor cortex can be activated noninvasively using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the brain, and repetitive TMS (rTMS) can produce changes in neurotransmission that outlast the period of stimulation. In recent years a remarkable number of papers about the potential effects of rTMS in several neurological disorders including ALS has been published. Preliminary studies have shown that rTMS of the motor cortex, at frequencies that decrease cortical excitability, causes a slight slowing in the progression rate of ALS, suggesting that these effects might be related to a diminution of glutamate-driven excitotoxicity. RTMS could also interfere with motor neuron death through different mechanisms: rTMS could modulate the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a potent survival factor for neurons, that in turn might represent a promoter of motor neuron sparing in ALS. Despite some promising preliminary data, recent studies have demonstrated a lack of significant long-term beneficial effects of rTMS on neurological deterioration in ALS. However, further studies are warranted to evaluate the potential efficacy of different protocols of motor cortex stimulation (in terms of technique, duration and frequency of stimulation), particularly during the early stages of the disease when the progression rate is more pronounced.
Keywords: ALS, excitotoxicity, glutamate, rTMS, neuromodulation
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets
Title: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for ALS
Volume: 9 Issue: 3
Author(s): M. Dileone, P. Profice, F. Pilato, F. Ranieri, F. Capone, G. Musumeci, L. Florio, R. Di Iorio and V. Di Lazzaro
Affiliation:
Keywords: ALS, excitotoxicity, glutamate, rTMS, neuromodulation
Abstract: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease affecting upper and lower motor neurons characterized by progressive weakness, respiratory failure and death within 3-5 years. It has been proposed that glutamate-related excitotoxicity may promote motor neuron death in ALS. Glutamatergic circuits of the human motor cortex can be activated noninvasively using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the brain, and repetitive TMS (rTMS) can produce changes in neurotransmission that outlast the period of stimulation. In recent years a remarkable number of papers about the potential effects of rTMS in several neurological disorders including ALS has been published. Preliminary studies have shown that rTMS of the motor cortex, at frequencies that decrease cortical excitability, causes a slight slowing in the progression rate of ALS, suggesting that these effects might be related to a diminution of glutamate-driven excitotoxicity. RTMS could also interfere with motor neuron death through different mechanisms: rTMS could modulate the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a potent survival factor for neurons, that in turn might represent a promoter of motor neuron sparing in ALS. Despite some promising preliminary data, recent studies have demonstrated a lack of significant long-term beneficial effects of rTMS on neurological deterioration in ALS. However, further studies are warranted to evaluate the potential efficacy of different protocols of motor cortex stimulation (in terms of technique, duration and frequency of stimulation), particularly during the early stages of the disease when the progression rate is more pronounced.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Dileone M., Profice P., Pilato F., Ranieri F., Capone F., Musumeci G., Florio L., Di Iorio R. and Di Lazzaro V., Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for ALS, CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets 2010; 9 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152710791292620
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152710791292620 |
Print ISSN 1871-5273 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1996-3181 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Diagnosis and treatment of central nervous system infectious diseases
Infectious diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) can be divided into bacterial, tuberculous, viral, fungal, parasitic infections, etc. Early etiological treatment is often the most crucial means to reduce the mortality rate of patients with central nervous system infections, reduce complications and sequelae, and improve prognosis. The initial clinical ...read more
Techniques of Drug Repurposing: Delivering a new life to Herbs & Drugs
Of late, with the adaptation of innovative approaches and integration of advancements made towards medical sciences as well as the availability of a wide range of tools; several therapeutic challenges are being translated into viable clinical solutions, with a high degree of efficacy, safety, and selectivity. With a better understanding ...read more
Trends and perspectives in the rational management of CNS disorders
Central nervous system (CNS) diseases enforce a significant global health burden, driving ongoing efforts to improve our understanding and effectiveness of therapy. This issue investigates current advances in the discipline, focusing on the understanding as well as therapeutic handling of various CNS diseases. The issue covers a variety of diseases, ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Large-Conductance Ca2+-Activated K+ Channels:Physiological Role and Pharmacology
Current Medicinal Chemistry Editorial (Thematic Issue: Neuroglia as a Central Element of Neurological Diseases: An Underappreciated Target for Therapeutic Intervention)
Current Neuropharmacology Protein Kinase C Isozymes: Memory Therapeutic Potential
Current Drug Targets - CNS & Neurological Disorders Cross-Talk Between NO Synthase Isoforms in Neuro-Inflammation: Possible Implications in HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders
Current Medicinal Chemistry Catatonia Due to a General Medical Condition (Organic Catatonia)
Current Psychiatry Reviews Decoding Common Features of Neurodegenerative Disorders: From Differentially Expressed Genes to Pathways
Current Genomics AMPA Receptor Potentiators: Application for Depression and Parkinsons Disease
Current Drug Targets A Friend in Need May Not be a Friend Indeed: Role of Microglia in Neurodegenerative Diseases
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Flavonoids in Human Health: From Structure to Biological Activity
Current Nutrition & Food Science An Update on Natural Occurrence and Biological Activity of Chromones
Current Medicinal Chemistry Nano-medicine Improving the Bioavailability of Small Molecules for the Prevention of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Current Pharmaceutical Design Cysteine Network (CYSTEINET) Dysregulation in Parkinson’s Disease: Role of N-acetylcysteine
Current Drug Metabolism Pharmacodynamics of Memantine: An Update
Current Neuropharmacology Myopathic Involvement and Mitochondrial Pathology in Kennedy Disease and in Other Motor Neuron Diseases
Current Molecular Medicine Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II in Diagnosis and Treatment of Neurologic Disorders and Prostate Cancer
Current Medicinal Chemistry TNF-α Inhibition as a Treatment Strategy for Neurodegenerative Disorders: New Drug Candidates and Targets
Current Alzheimer Research Scientific Basis for the Use of Indian Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants in the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders: 1. Ashwagandha
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Tianeptine: A Novel Atypical Antidepressant that May Provide New Insights into the Biomolecular Basis of Depression
Recent Patents on CNS Drug Discovery (Discontinued) The Immunoproteasome: An Emerging Therapeutic Target
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Patent Selections
Recent Patents on Food, Nutrition & Agriculture