Network-targeted theta-burst stimulation for episodic memory improvement in mild cognitive impairment

项目总结/摘要 阿尔茨海默病（AD）影响美国和全世界数百万人，并且正在成为一种增加的疾病。 对个人和社会的负担。患有遗忘型轻度认知障碍（aMCI）的个体 发展AD的风险。一种可靠的治疗aMCI患者的方法不仅有助于 改善老年人的生活与记忆障碍，但也有可能防止或延迟 AD的发展。Theta脉冲串经颅磁刺激（TBS）是一种非侵入性神经调节 一种显示出改善记忆力的前景的方法，可以应用于功能上 连接到海马体以恢复记忆功能。因为将刺激施加到 改变记忆功能取决于在复合体中不同和特定部位施加刺激 作为这些功能的基础，神经成像引导的TBS治疗靶向将提供 个性化定制的治疗干预需要最大的疗效。拟议项目将 因此，实现了一种新的高分辨率功能磁共振成像（fMRI）引导的TBS方法， 改善老年aMCI患者的大脑皮层连接和随后的情景记忆， 没有遗传AD的风险。功能性磁共振成像，头皮脑电图（EEG）和基因检测将 也可用于表征与TBS相关的脑网络变化和遗传因素 记忆恢复TBS相关的记忆恢复对精神障碍患者的影响 记忆意义重大，迫切需要。因此，拟议的项目将开发一个新的 记忆增强的方法，表征相关的大脑变化，有助于理解 大脑皮层网络及其在记忆中的作用，并最终提供了一种新的治疗方法， 人类记忆障碍该项目的数据将证明TBS可以用于 改善aMCI患者的记忆力，并将启动一个新兴的关键研究领域， 对患有使生命衰弱的认知障碍的患者进行治疗干预。

Project Summary/Abstract Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) affects millions of people in the US and worldwide, and is becoming an increased burden on individual and society. Individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) are at greater risk for development of AD. A reliable method of treatment for individuals with aMCI could help not only to improve the lives of elderly individuals with memory impairment, but also potentially prevent or delay the development of AD. Theta burst transcranial magnetic stimulation (TBS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation method that shows promise for improving memory and may be applied to brain areas that are functionally connected to the hippocampus in order to restore memory function. Because the ability to apply stimulation to modify memory functions depends on the application of stimulation at distinct and specific sites in the complex neuronal circuitry underlying these functions, neuroimaging guided targeting of TBS treatment will provide individualized tailoring of therapeutic intervention needed for maximum efficacy. The proposed project will therefore implement a novel high-resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) guided TBS method to improve hippocampal-cortical connectivity and consequent episodic memory in elderly aMCI individuals with and without genetic risk for AD. Functional MRI, scalp electroencephalography (EEG), and genetic testing will also be used to characterize brain network changes and genetic factors that are associated with TBS related memory restoration. The implications of TBS related memory restoration to patients affected with disorders of memory is of great significance and of urgent need. The proposed project will therefore develop a novel method for memory enhancement, characterize associated brain changes, contribute to the understanding of hippocampal-cortical networks and their role in memory, and ultimately provide a novel therapeutic approach to human memory disorders. The data from this project will demonstrate a proof-of-concept that TBS can be used to improve memory in aMCI, and will launch an emerging and pivotal area of research that will provide therapeutic interventions for patients afflicted with life debilitating cognitive disorders.