Effects of accelerated DLPFC-rTMS on cognition, EEG activity, and blood biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease
8 affiliations
- 1Brain and Cognition Research Center, Istanbul Medipol University, BEYKOG
- 2Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Health Sciences, Hamidiye Institute of Health Sciences
- 3Department of Medical Biochemistry, Hamidiye Faculty of Medicine, University of Health Science
- 4Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa
- 5School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Istanbul Medipol University
- 6Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Istanbul Medipol University
- 7Department of Biophysics, School of Medicine, Istanbul Medipol University
- 8School of Medicine, Istanbul Medipol University
Abstract
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) may offer a noninvasive intervention for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but optimal protocols and mechanisms remain uncertain. We assessed clinical outcomes, resting-state electroencephalography (EEG), and blood biomarkers after a brief accelerated-rTMS application targeting bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Thirty-three patients with mild–moderate AD were randomized to accelerated rTMS (n = 19) or non-stimulated control (n = 14). The rTMS group received 20-Hz stimulation to each DLPFC twice daily for five days (10 sessions). At baseline and four weeks later, participants completed cognitive testing, neuropsychiatric evaluation, resting EEG, and blood assays of oxidative stress, inflammatory, and neurotrophic markers. Compared with controls, rTMS produced greater improvement in activities of daily living and neuropsychiatric symptoms, with global cognition remaining stable over post‑treatment assessment. Exploratory EEG analyses indicated increased parietal beta-band power following rTMS, although between-group EEG effects did not remain significant after correction for multiple comparisons. Blood measures shifted toward a more neuroprotective profile, including higher neurotrophic signaling and more favorable oxidative and inflammatory indices. No serious adverse events were reported. A one-week accelerated rTMS protocol was feasible and well tolerated in AD, showing aligned improvements in function, EEG, and blood biomarkers, supporting accelerated-rTMS as a feasible and biologically promising intervention that warrants confirmation in sham-controlled trials.
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BibTeX
@article{yılmaz2026effects,
title = {{Effects of accelerated DLPFC-rTMS on cognition, EEG activity, and blood biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease}},
author = {Suat Yılmaz and Fatma Aydın and Halil Aziz Velioğlu and Hakan Beyaztaş and Eray Metin Güler and Muhammed Yunus Bektay and Gülsüm Uzer and Seda Avcı and Saba Fakharnasab and Sultan Yıldız and Cihan Bilge Kayasandık and Cennet Sena Parlatan and Bahar Güntekin and Velihan Utku Benli and Enes Sedat Uluçam and Lütfü Hanoğlu},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1038/s41598-026-62048-7},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-62048-7},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Effects of accelerated DLPFC-rTMS on cognition, EEG activity, and blood biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease
AU - Suat Yılmaz
AU - Fatma Aydın
AU - Halil Aziz Velioğlu
AU - Hakan Beyaztaş
AU - Eray Metin Güler
AU - Muhammed Yunus Bektay
AU - Gülsüm Uzer
AU - Seda Avcı
AU - Saba Fakharnasab
AU - Sultan Yıldız
AU - Cihan Bilge Kayasandık
AU - Cennet Sena Parlatan
AU - Bahar Güntekin
AU - Velihan Utku Benli
AU - Enes Sedat Uluçam
AU - Lütfü Hanoğlu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Scientific Reports
DO - 10.1038/s41598-026-62048-7
UR - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-62048-7
AB - Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) may offer a noninvasive intervention for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but optimal protocols and mechanisms remain uncertain. We assessed clinical outcomes, resting-state electroencephalography (EEG), and blood biomarkers after a brief accelerated-rTMS application targeting bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Thirty-three patients with mild–moderate AD were randomized to accelerated rTMS (n = 19) or non-stimulated control (n = 14). The rTMS group received 20-Hz stimulation to each DLPFC twice daily for five days (10 sessions). At baseline and four weeks later, participants completed cognitive testing, neuropsychiatric evaluation, resting EEG, and blood assays of oxidative stress, inflammatory, and neurotrophic markers. Compared with controls, rTMS produced greater improvement in activities of daily living and neuropsychiatric symptoms, with global cognition remaining stable over post‑treatment assessment. Exploratory EEG analyses indicated increased parietal beta-band power following rTMS, although between-group EEG effects did not remain significant after correction for multiple comparisons. Blood measures shifted toward a more neuroprotective profile, including higher neurotrophic signaling and more favorable oxidative and inflammatory indices. No serious adverse events were reported. A one-week accelerated rTMS protocol was feasible and well tolerated in AD, showing aligned improvements in function, EEG, and blood biomarkers, supporting accelerated-rTMS as a feasible and biologically promising intervention that warrants confirmation in sham-controlled trials.
SN - 2045-2322
ER -