ArticleBrain sciences2025
Transcranial Pulse Stimulation in Alzheimer's: Long-Term Feasibility and a Multifocal Treatment Approach.
Article in Brain sciences, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Editorial: Advancing the Frontiers of Non-Invasive Neuromodulation in Research and Clinical Practice.Brain sciences · 2026Article
- Neurofeedback Training Modulates Brain Functional Networks and Improves Cognition in Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment Patients Aged 60-70 Years.Brain sciences · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
BACKGROUND/
objectivesNeuromodulation is under investigation as a possibly effective add-on therapy in Alzheimer's disease (AD). While transcranial pulse stimulation (TPS) has shown positive short-term effects, long-term effects have not yet been fully explored. This study aims to evaluate the long-term feasibility, safety, and potential cognitive benefits of TPS over one year in patients with Alzheimer's disease, focusing on domains such as memory, speech, orientation, visuo-construction, and depressive symptoms.
methodsWe analyzed preliminary data from the first ten out of thirty-five patients enrolled in a prospective TPS study who completed one year of follow-up and were included in a dedicated long-term database. The protocol consisted of six initial TPS sessions over two weeks, followed by monthly booster sessions delivering 6000 pulses each for twelve months. Patients underwent regular neuropsychological assessments using the Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS), Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). All adverse events (AEs) were documented and monitored throughout the study.
resultsAdverse events occurred in less than 1% of stimulation sessions and mainly included mild focal pain or transient unpleasant sensations, as well as some systemic behavioral or vigilance changes, particularly in patients with underlying medical conditions, with some potentially related to the device's stimulation as adverse device reactions (ADRs). Cognitive test results showed significant improvement after the initial stimulation cycle (ADAS total improved significantly after the first stimulation cycle (M_pre = 28.44, M_post = 18.56;
conclusionsTPS appears to be a generally safe and feasible add-on treatment for AD, although careful patient selection and monitoring are advised. While a considerable number of participants were lost to follow-up for various reasons, adverse events and lack of treatment effect were unlikely primary causes. A multifocal stimulation approach (F-TOP2) is proposed to enhance effects across more cognitive domains.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.