Left Prefrontal Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in a Logopenic Variant of Primary Progressive Aphasia: A Case Report

摘要

Background/Aims: High frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (hf-rTMS) improves language skills in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We report the use of hf-rTMS in a patient with logopenic primary progressive aphasia (LPPA) due to AD. Method: hf-rTMS was applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of a LPPA patient. Cerebral perfusion, neuropsychological and linguistic performances were evaluated before and 1 month after hf-rTMS. Results: The tolerance was good. Improvements on linguistic (fluency, naming, lesser paraphasia) and cognitive skills (Mini Mental State Examination, verbal memory free recall, speed processing) and cerebral perfusion were observed. Conclusion: hf-rTMS can be used in LPPA patients. A procognitive effect persisting several weeks after stimulation in LPPA patients was suggested and should therefore be evaluated in a clinical trial as an adjunctive therapeutic tool. (C) 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel