NEWS: rTMS (repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)

["S.J.Abas" <s.j.abas@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

At the American Academy of Neurology Meeting in San Diego recently there
was a paper presented by a ParisianGroup who have previously been using
rTMS
for pain research.

Surprisingly,  they  presented a paper on PD entitled:

"The Clinical Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Stimulation  on
Parkinson's Disease Depend on Stimulation Frequency".

The trial was conducted with five patients. The conclusions were:
Lavadopa-like clinical improvement was obtained by rTMS over the left
motor cortex in right handed PD patients (over fdi using a figure of eight
coil),
However, differential results were found depending on rTMS frequency.
Akinesia and rigidity preferentially improved after high frequency rTMS
(10Hz), whereas gait and posture improved after low-frequency rTMS (0.5Hz).
The parameters of rTMS remain to be precised (site or intensity of
stimulation, repetition of rTMS
sessions) before engaging rTMS as a possible therapeutic tool in PD.

Jan Abas

--
================================================================
                Dr.S.J.Abas
                School of Informatics
                University of Wales, Bangor, UK LL57 1UT
                tel: 01248 382478
                Fax: 01248 361429
                E-Mail: s.j.abas@xxxxxxxxxxxx
                
                
=================================================================