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Davidson B, Vetkas A, Germann J, Tang-Wai D, Lozano AM. Deep brain stimulation for Alzheimer's disease - current status and next steps. Expert Rev Med Devices 2024; 21:285-292. [PMID: 38573133 DOI: 10.1080/17434440.2024.2337298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alzheimer's disease (AD) requires novel therapeutic approaches due to limited efficacy of current treatments. AREAS COVERED This article explores AD as a manifestation of neurocircuit dysfunction and evaluates deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a potential intervention. Focusing on fornix-targeted stimulation (DBS-f), the article summarizes safety, feasibility, and outcomes observed in phase 1/2 trials, highlighting findings such as cognitive improvement, increased metabolism, and hippocampal growth. Topics for further study include optimization of electrode placement, and the role of stimulation-induced autobiographical-recall. Nucleus basalis of Meynert (DBS-NBM) DBS is also discussed and compared with DBS-f. Challenges with both DBS-f and DBS-NBM are identified, emphasizing the need for further research on optimal stimulation parameters. The article also reviews alternative DBS targets, including medial temporal lobe structures and the ventral capsule/ventral striatum. EXPERT OPINION Looking ahead, a phase-3 DBS-f trial, and the prospect of closed-loop stimulation using EEG-derived biomarkers or hippocampal theta activity are highlighted. Recent FDA-approved therapies and other neuromodulation techniques like temporal interference and low-intensity ultrasound are considered. The article concludes by underscoring the importance of imaging-based diagnosis and staging to allow for circuit-targeted therapies, given the heterogeneity of AD and varied stages of neurocircuit dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Davidson
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Artur Vetkas
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jürgen Germann
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David Tang-Wai
- Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Neurology, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, University of Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Andres M Lozano
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
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2
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Jiang Y, Yuan TS, Chen YC, Guo P, Lian TH, Liu YY, Liu W, Bai YT, Zhang Q, Zhang W, Zhang JG. Deep brain stimulation of the nucleus basalis of Meynert modulates hippocampal-frontoparietal networks in patients with advanced Alzheimer's disease. Transl Neurodegener 2022; 11:51. [PMID: 36471370 PMCID: PMC9721033 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-022-00327-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) has shown potential for the treatment of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, there is little evidence of whether NBM-DBS can improve cognitive functioning in patients with advanced AD. In addition, the mechanisms underlying the modulation of brain networks remain unclear. This study was aimed to assess the cognitive function and the resting-state connectivity following NBM-DBS in patients with advanced AD. METHODS Eight patients with advanced AD underwent bilateral NBM-DBS and were followed up for 12 months. Clinical outcomes were assessed by neuropsychological examinations using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography data were also collected. RESULTS The cognitive functioning of AD patients did not change from baseline to the 12-month follow-up. Interestingly, the MMSE score indicated clinical efficacy at 1 month of follow-up. At this time point, the connectivity between the hippocampal network and frontoparietal network tended to increase in the DBS-on state compared to the DBS-off state. Additionally, the increased functional connectivity between the parahippocampal gyrus (PHG) and the parietal cortex was associated with cognitive improvement. Further dynamic functional network analysis showed that NBM-DBS increased the proportion of the PHG-related connections, which was related to improved cognitive performance. CONCLUSION The results indicated that NBM-DBS improves short-term cognitive performance in patients with advanced AD, which may be related to the modulation of multi-network connectivity patterns, and the hippocampus plays an important role within these networks. TRIAL REGISTRATION ChiCTR, ChiCTR1900022324. Registered 5 April 2019-Prospective registration. https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=37712.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Jiang
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Functional Neurosurgery, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070 China
| | - Tian-Shuo Yuan
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Functional Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070 China
| | - Ying-Chuan Chen
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Functional Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070 China
| | - Peng Guo
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XCenter for Cognitive Neurology, Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070 China
| | - Teng-Hong Lian
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XCenter for Cognitive Neurology, Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070 China
| | - Yu-Ye Liu
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Functional Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070 China
| | - Wei Liu
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Functional Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070 China
| | - Yu-Tong Bai
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Functional Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070 China
| | - Quan Zhang
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Functional Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070 China
| | - Wei Zhang
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XCenter for Cognitive Neurology, Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070 China
| | - Jian-Guo Zhang
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Functional Neurosurgery, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070 China ,grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Functional Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070 China ,grid.413259.80000 0004 0632 3337Beijing Key Laboratory of Neurostimulation, Beijing, 100070 China
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3
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Huynh QS, Elangovan S, Holsinger RMD. Non-Pharmacological Therapeutic Options for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911037. [PMID: 36232336 PMCID: PMC9570337 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease is a growing global crisis in need of urgent diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. The current treatment strategy mostly involves immunotherapeutic medications that have had little success in halting disease progress. Hypotheses for pathogenesis and development of AD have been expanded to implicate both organ systems as well as cellular reactions. Non-pharmacologic interventions ranging from minimally to deeply invasive have attempted to address these diverse contributors to AD. In this review, we aim to delineate mechanisms underlying such interventions while attempting to provide explanatory links between the observed differences in disease states and postulated metabolic or structural mechanisms of change. The techniques discussed are not an exhaustive list of non-pharmacological interventions against AD but provide a foundation to facilitate a deeper understanding of the area of study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quy-Susan Huynh
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience and Dementia, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
- Neuroscience, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Shalini Elangovan
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience and Dementia, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - R. M. Damian Holsinger
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience and Dementia, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
- Neuroscience, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-2-9351-0876
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4
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Khalife MR, Scott RC, Hernan AE. Mechanisms for Cognitive Impairment in Epilepsy: Moving Beyond Seizures. Front Neurol 2022; 13:878991. [PMID: 35645970 PMCID: PMC9135108 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.878991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There has been a major emphasis on defining the role of seizures in the causation of cognitive impairments like memory deficits in epilepsy. Here we focus on an alternative hypothesis behind these deficits, emphasizing the mechanisms of information processing underlying healthy cognition characterized as rate, temporal and population coding. We discuss the role of the underlying etiology of epilepsy in altering neural networks thereby leading to both the propensity for seizures and the associated cognitive impairments. In addition, we address potential treatments that can recover the network function in the context of a diseased brain, thereby improving both seizure and cognitive outcomes simultaneously. This review shows the importance of moving beyond seizures and approaching the deficits from a system-level perspective with the guidance of network neuroscience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed R. Khalife
- Division of Neuroscience, Nemours Children's Health, Wilmington, DE, United States
- Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
| | - Rod C. Scott
- Division of Neuroscience, Nemours Children's Health, Wilmington, DE, United States
- Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
- Institute of Child Health, Neurosciences Unit University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda E. Hernan
- Division of Neuroscience, Nemours Children's Health, Wilmington, DE, United States
- Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
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5
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Bogdan ID, Oterdoom DLM, van Laar T, Huitema RB, Odekerken VJ, Boel JA, de Bie RMA, van Dijk JMC. Serendipitous Stimulation of Nucleus Basalis of Meynert-The Effect of Unintentional, Long-Term High-Frequency Stimulation on Cognition in Parkinson's Disease. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11020337. [PMID: 35054031 PMCID: PMC8779041 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11020337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a growing interest in deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) as a potential therapeutic modality for Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD). Low-frequency stimulation has yielded encouraging results in individual patients; however, these are not yet sustained in larger studies. With the aim to expand the understanding of NBM-DBS, we share our experience with serendipitous NBM-DBS in patients treated with DBS of the internal Globus pallidus (GPi) for Parkinson’s disease. Since NBM is anatomically located ventral to GPi, several GPi-treated patients appeared to have the distal contact of DBS-electrode(s) positioned in the NBM. We hypothesized that unintentional high-frequency NBM-DBS over a period of one year would result in the opposite effect of low-frequency NBM-stimulation and cause cognitive decline. We studied a cohort of 33 patients with bilateral high-frequency DBS in the GPi for Parkinson’s disease, of which twelve were unintentionally co-stimulated in NBM. The subgroups of unintentional unilateral (N = 7) and bilateral NBM-DBS (N = 5) were compared to the control group of bilateral GPi-DBS (N = 11). Here, we show that unintentional high-frequency NBM-DBS did not cause a significantly faster decline in cognitive function. Further research is warranted for characterizing the therapeutic role of NBM-DBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- I. Daria Bogdan
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 Groningen, The Netherlands; (I.D.B.); (J.M.C.v.D.)
| | - D. L. Marinus Oterdoom
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 Groningen, The Netherlands; (I.D.B.); (J.M.C.v.D.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Teus van Laar
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 Groningen, The Netherlands; (T.v.L.); (R.B.H.)
| | - Rients B. Huitema
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 Groningen, The Netherlands; (T.v.L.); (R.B.H.)
| | - Vincent J. Odekerken
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam Neuroscience Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center, 1105 Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (V.J.O.); (J.A.B.); (R.M.A.d.B.)
| | - Judith A. Boel
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam Neuroscience Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center, 1105 Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (V.J.O.); (J.A.B.); (R.M.A.d.B.)
| | - Rob M. A. de Bie
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam Neuroscience Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center, 1105 Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (V.J.O.); (J.A.B.); (R.M.A.d.B.)
| | - J. Marc C. van Dijk
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 Groningen, The Netherlands; (I.D.B.); (J.M.C.v.D.)
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6
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Yang X, Zhang R, Sun Z, Kurths J. Controlling Alzheimer's Disease Through the Deep Brain Stimulation to Thalamic Relay Cells. Front Comput Neurosci 2021; 15:636770. [PMID: 34819845 PMCID: PMC8606419 DOI: 10.3389/fncom.2021.636770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Experimental and clinical studies have shown that the technique of deep brain stimulation (DBS) plays a potential role in the regulation of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), yet it still desires for ongoing studies including clinical trials, theoretical approach and action mechanism. In this work, we develop a modified thalamo-cortico-thalamic (TCT) model associated with AD to explore the therapeutic effects of DBS on AD from the perspective of neurocomputation. First, the neuropathological state of AD resulting from synapse loss is mimicked by decreasing the synaptic connectivity strength from the Inter-Neurons (IN) neuron population to the Thalamic Relay Cells (TRC) neuron population. Under such AD condition, a specific deep brain stimulation voltage is then implanted into the neural nucleus of TRC in this TCT model. The symptom of AD is found significantly relieved by means of power spectrum analysis and nonlinear dynamical analysis. Furthermore, the therapeutic effects of DBS on AD are systematically examined in different parameter space of DBS. The results demonstrate that the controlling effect of DBS on AD can be efficient by appropriately tuning the key parameters of DBS including amplitude A, period P and duration D. This work highlights the critical role of thalamus stimulation for brain disease, and provides a theoretical basis for future experimental and clinical studies in treating AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- XiaoLi Yang
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - RuiXi Zhang
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - ZhongKui Sun
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jürgen Kurths
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Potsdam, Germany.,Department of Physics, Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Centre for Analysis of Complex Systems, World-Class Research Center "Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare", Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
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7
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Sasikumar S, Cohn M, Harmsen IE, Loh A, Cho SS, Sáenz-Farret M, Maciel R, Soh D, Boutet A, Germann J, Elias G, Youm A, Duncan K, Rowland NC, Strafella AP, Kalia SK, Lozano AM, Fasano A. Single-Trajectory Multiple-Target Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinsonian Mobility and Cognition. Mov Disord 2021; 37:635-640. [PMID: 34806782 DOI: 10.1002/mds.28870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) is an emerging target to potentially treat cognitive dysfunction. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study is to achieve feasibility and safety of globus pallidus pars interna (GPi) and NBM DBS in advanced PD with cognitive impairment. METHODS We performed a phase-II double-blind crossover pilot trial in six participants to assess safety and cognitive measures, the acute effect of NBM stimulation on attention, motor and neuropsychological data at one year, and neuroimaging biomarkers of NBM stimulation. RESULTS NBM DBS was well tolerated but did not improve cognition. GPi DBS improved dyskinesia and motor fluctuations (P = 0.04) at one year. NBM stimulation was associated with reduced right frontal and parietal glucose metabolism (P < 0.01) and increased low- and high-frequency power and functional connectivity. Volume of tissue activated in the left NBM was associated with stable cognition (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Simultaneous GPi and NBM stimulation is safe and improves motor complications. NBM stimulation altered neuroimaging biomarkers but without lasting cognitive improvement. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Melanie Cohn
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Krembil Brain Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Irene E Harmsen
- Mitchell Goldhar MEG Unit, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Toronto Western Hospital, Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Aaron Loh
- Toronto Western Hospital, Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sang Soo Cho
- Division of Brain, Imaging and Behaviour-Systems Neuroscience, Krembil Brain Institute, UHN, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Michel Sáenz-Farret
- Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease and Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Centre, Toronto Western Hospital, UHN, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ricardo Maciel
- Movement Disorders Unit, Hospital das Clínicas, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Derrick Soh
- Department of Neurology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alexandre Boutet
- Toronto Western Hospital, Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Joint Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jürgen Germann
- Toronto Western Hospital, Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gavin Elias
- Toronto Western Hospital, Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ariana Youm
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Katherine Duncan
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nathan C Rowland
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Antonio P Strafella
- Division of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Brain, Imaging and Behaviour-Systems Neuroscience, Krembil Brain Institute, UHN, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease and Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Centre, Toronto Western Hospital, UHN, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Brain Health Imaging Centre, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, CAMH, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Suneil K Kalia
- Krembil Brain Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Toronto Western Hospital, Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Center for Advancing Neurotechnological Innovation to Application (CRANIA), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andres M Lozano
- Krembil Brain Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Toronto Western Hospital, Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Center for Advancing Neurotechnological Innovation to Application (CRANIA), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alfonso Fasano
- Division of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Krembil Brain Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease and Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Centre, Toronto Western Hospital, UHN, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Center for Advancing Neurotechnological Innovation to Application (CRANIA), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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8
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Pople CB, Meng Y, Li DZ, Bigioni L, Davidson B, Vecchio LM, Hamani C, Rabin JS, Lipsman N. Neuromodulation in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease: Current and Emerging Approaches. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 78:1299-1313. [PMID: 33164935 DOI: 10.3233/jad-200913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Neuromodulation as a treatment strategy for psychiatric and neurological diseases has grown in popularity in recent years, with the approval of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for the treatment of depression being one such example. These approaches offer new hope in the treatment of diseases that have proven largely intractable to traditional pharmacological approaches. For this reason, neuromodulation is increasingly being explored for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. However, such approaches have variable, and, in many cases, very limited evidence for safety and efficacy, with most human evidence obtained in small clinical trials. Here we review work in animal models and humans with Alzheimer's disease exploring emerging neuromodulation modalities. Approaches reviewed include deep brain stimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial electrical stimulation, ultrasound stimulation, photobiomodulation, and visual or auditory stimulation. In doing so, we clarify the current evidence for these approaches in treating Alzheimer's disease and identify specific areas where additional work is needed to facilitate their clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher B Pople
- Harquail Centre for Neuromodulation, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ying Meng
- Harquail Centre for Neuromodulation, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Neurosurgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Daniel Z Li
- Harquail Centre for Neuromodulation, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Luca Bigioni
- Harquail Centre for Neuromodulation, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Benjamin Davidson
- Harquail Centre for Neuromodulation, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Neurosurgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Laura M Vecchio
- Biological Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Clement Hamani
- Harquail Centre for Neuromodulation, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Neurosurgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jennifer S Rabin
- Harquail Centre for Neuromodulation, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Medicine (Neurology), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto ON, Canada
| | - Nir Lipsman
- Harquail Centre for Neuromodulation, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Neurosurgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
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9
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Zhang W, Liu W, Patel B, Chen Y, Wang K, Yang A, Meng F, Wagle Shukla A, Cen S, Yu J, Ramirez-Zamora A, Zhang J. Case Report: Deep Brain Stimulation of the Nucleus Basalis of Meynert for Advanced Alzheimer's Disease. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:645584. [PMID: 34122027 PMCID: PMC8188895 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.645584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with advanced Alzheimer's disease (AD) experience cognitive impairment and physical disabilities in daily life. Currently, there are no treatments available to slow down the course of the disease, and limited treatments exist only to treat symptoms. However, deep brain stimulation of the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM-DBS) has been reported to improve cognitive function in individuals with AD. Here, we report the effects of NBM-DBS on cognitive function in a subject with severe AD. An 80-year-old male with severe AD (Clinical Dementia Rating scale: 3.0 points) underwent surgery for bilateral NBM-DBS electrode placement. After 10 weeks of stimulation, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) assessment improved from a score of 5 to 9 points, and assessment using the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale–Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-cog) showed a marked reduction in total score from 43 to 33 points, suggesting cognitive benefits from NBM-DBS. The patient's postoperative course was complicated by a subdural effusion that occurred several days after surgery, with complete recovery. Interestingly, the subject also displayed abnormal thermoregulation with stimulation initiation and stimulation parameter modifications. NBM-DBS may serve as a potential therapy for severe AD patients. Clinical Trial Registration: ChiCTR1900022324.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- Center for Cognitive Neurology, Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Bhavana Patel
- Department of Neurology, Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Yingchuan Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Kailiang Wang
- Department of Functional Neurosurgery, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Anchao Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Fangang Meng
- Department of Functional Neurosurgery, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Aparna Wagle Shukla
- Department of Neurology, Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Shanshan Cen
- Department of Neurology, Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - John Yu
- Department of Neurology, Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Adolfo Ramirez-Zamora
- Department of Neurology, Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Jianguo Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Functional Neurosurgery, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Neurostimulation, Beijing, China
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10
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Luo Y, Sun Y, Tian X, Zheng X, Wang X, Li W, Wu X, Shu B, Hou W. Deep Brain Stimulation for Alzheimer's Disease: Stimulation Parameters and Potential Mechanisms of Action. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:619543. [PMID: 33776742 PMCID: PMC7990787 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.619543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a neurosurgical technique that regulates neuron activity by using internal pulse generators to electrodes in specific target areas of the brain. As a blind treatment, DBS is widely used in the field of mental and neurological diseases, although its mechanism of action is still unclear. In the past 10 years, DBS has shown a certain positive effect in animal models and patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), but there are also different results that may be related to the stimulation parameters of DBS. Based on this, determining the optimal stimulation parameters for DBS in AD and understanding its mechanism of action are essential to promote the clinical application of DBS in AD. This review aims to explore the therapeutic effect of DBS in AD, and to analyze its stimulation parameters and potential mechanism of action. The keywords "Deep brain stimulation" and "Alzheimer's Disease" were used for systematic searches in the literature databases of Web of Science and PubMed (from 1900 to September 29, 2020). All human clinical studies and animal studies were reported in English, including individual case studies and long-term follow-up studies, were included. These studies described the therapeutic effects of DBS in AD. The results included 16 human clinical studies and 14 animal studies, of which 28 studies clearly demonstrated the positive effect of DBS in AD. We analyzed the current stimulation parameters of DBS in AD from stimulation target, stimulation frequency, stimulation start time, stimulation duration, unilateral/bilateral treatment and current intensity, etc., and we also discussed its potential mechanism of action from multiple aspects, including regulating related neural networks, promoting nerve oscillation, reducing β-amyloid and tau levels, reducing neuroinflammation, regulating the cholinergic system, inducing the synthesis of nerve growth factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinpei Luo
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuwei Sun
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xuelong Tian
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Medical Electronics Engineering Technology Research Center, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaolin Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Medical Electronics Engineering Technology Research Center, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Medical Electronics Engineering Technology Research Center, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Weina Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaoying Wu
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Medical Electronics Engineering Technology Research Center, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Bin Shu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wensheng Hou
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Medical Electronics Engineering Technology Research Center, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
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11
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Koulousakis P, Andrade P, Visser-Vandewalle V, Sesia T. The Nucleus Basalis of Meynert and Its Role in Deep Brain Stimulation for Cognitive Disorders: A Historical Perspective. J Alzheimers Dis 2020; 69:905-919. [PMID: 31104014 DOI: 10.3233/jad-180133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The nucleus basalis of Meynert (nbM) was first described at the end of the 19th century and named after its discoverer, Theodor Meynert. The nbM contains a large population of cholinergic neurons that project their axons to the entire cortical mantle, the olfactory tubercle, and the amygdala. It has been functionally associated with the control of attention and maintenance of arousal, both key functions for appropriate learning and memory formation. This structure is well-conserved across vertebrates, although its degree of organization varies between species. Since early in the investigation of its functional and pathological significance, its degeneration has been linked to various major neuropsychiatric disorders. For instance, Lewy bodies, a hallmark in the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, were originally described in the nbM. Since then, its involvement in other Lewy body and dementia-related disorders has been recognized. In the context of recent positive outcomes following nbM deep brain stimulation in subjects with dementia-associated disorders, we review the literature from an historical perspective focusing on how the nbM came into focus as a promising therapeutic option for patients with Alzheimer's disease. Moreover, we will discuss what is needed to further develop and widely implement this approach as well as examine novel medical indications for which nbM deep brain stimulation may prove beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippos Koulousakis
- Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Germany.,European Graduate School of Neuroscience, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Pablo Andrade
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Germany.,European Graduate School of Neuroscience, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Veerle Visser-Vandewalle
- Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Germany.,European Graduate School of Neuroscience, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Thibaut Sesia
- Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Germany.,European Graduate School of Neuroscience, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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12
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Hescham S, Liu H, Jahanshahi A, Temel Y. Deep brain stimulation and cognition: Translational aspects. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2020; 174:107283. [PMID: 32739395 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2020.107283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Many neurological patients suffer from memory loss. To date, pharmacological treatments for memory disorders have limited and short-lasting effects. Therefore, researchers are investigating novel therapies such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) to alleviate memory impairments. Up to now stimulation of the fornix, nucleus basalis of Meynert and entorhinal cortex have been found to enhance memory performance. Here, we provide an overview of the different DBS targets and mechanisms within the memory circuit, which could be relevant for enhancing memory in patients. Future studies are warranted, accelerating the efforts to further unravel mechanisms of action of DBS in memory-related disorders and develop stimulation protocols based on these mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Hescham
- Department of Neurosurgery, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands; European Graduate School of Neuroscience (EURON), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Huajie Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands; European Graduate School of Neuroscience (EURON), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Ali Jahanshahi
- Department of Neurosurgery, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands; European Graduate School of Neuroscience (EURON), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Yasin Temel
- Department of Neurosurgery, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands; European Graduate School of Neuroscience (EURON), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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13
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Mao ZQ, Wang X, Xu X, Cui ZQ, Pan LS, Ning XJ, Xu BX, Ma L, Ling ZP, Jia JJ, Yu XG. Partial improvement in performance of patients with severe Alzheimer's disease at an early stage of fornix deep brain stimulation. Neural Regen Res 2018; 13:2164-2172. [PMID: 30323149 PMCID: PMC6199932 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.241468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Deep brain stimulation is a therapy for Alzheimer's disease (AD) that has previously been used for mainly mild to moderate cases. This study provides the first evidence of early alterations in performance induced by stimulation targeted at the fornix in severe AD patients. The performance of the five cases enrolled in this study was scored with specialized assessments including the Mini-Mental State Examination and Clinical Dementia Rating, both before and at an early stage after deep brain stimulation. The burden of caregivers was also evaluated using the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview. As a whole, the cognitive performance of patients remained stable or improved to varying degrees, and caregiver burden was decreased. Individually, an improved mental state or social performance was observed in three patients, and one of these three patients showed remarkable improvement in long-term memory. The conditions of another patient deteriorated because of inappropriate antipsychotic medications that were administered by his caregivers. Taken together, deep brain stimulation was capable of improving some cognitive aspects in patients with severe AD, and of ameliorating their emotional and social performance, at least at an early stage. However, long-term effects induced by deep brain stimulation in patients with severe AD need to be further validated. More research should focus on clarifying the mechanism of deep brain stimulation. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03115814) on April 14, 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Qi Mao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Wang
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xin Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Cui
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Long-Sheng Pan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Jing Ning
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Bai-Xuan Xu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Ma
- Department of Radiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi-Pei Ling
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Jun Jia
- Department of Neurology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xin-Guang Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing; School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
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14
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Laxton AW, Stone S, Lozano AM. The Neurosurgical Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease: A Review. Stereotact Funct Neurosurg 2014; 92:269-81. [DOI: 10.1159/000364914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2014] [Accepted: 05/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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