Open AccessTranscranial stimulation in frontotemporal dementia: A randomized, double‐blind, sham‐controlled trial
Author(s) -
Benussi Alberto,
Dell'Era Valentina,
Cosseddu Maura,
Cantoni Valentina,
Cotelli Maria Sofia,
Cotelli Maria,
Manenti Rosa,
Benussi Luisa,
Brattini Chiara,
Alberici Antonella,
Borroni Barbara
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia: translational research and clinical interventions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.49
H-Index - 30
ISSN - 2352-8737
DOI - 10.1002/trc2.12033
Subject(s) - transcranial direct current stimulation , frontotemporal dementia , brain stimulation , randomized controlled trial , psychology , prefrontal cortex , dementia , neuroscience , stimulation , medicine , clinical trial , physical medicine and rehabilitation , cognition , disease
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a progressive disease for which no curative treatment is currently available. We aimed to determine whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can modulate intracortical connectivity and improve cognition in symptomatic FTD patients and presymptomatic FTD subjects. Methods We performed a double‐blind, randomized, sham‐controlled trial with anodal tDCS or sham stimulation over the left prefrontal cortex in 70 participants (15 presymptomatic and 55 symptomatic FTD). Results We observed a significant increase of intracortical connectivity (short interval intracortical inhibition and facilitation) and improvement in clinical scores and behavioral disturbances in both symptomatic FTD patients and presymptomatic carriers after real tDCS but not after sham stimulation. Discussion A 2‐weeks’ treatment with anodal left prefrontal tDCS improves symptoms and restores intracortical inhibitory and excitatory circuits in both symptomatic FTD patients and presymptomatic carriers. tDCS might represent a promising future therapeutic and rehabilitative approach in patients with FTD.