Clinical Trial: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Corticobasal Degeneration

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Observational

Official Title: Noninvasive Cortical Stimulation (rTMS) for Motor and Non-Motor Features of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD)

Brief Summary:

Drug therapy of atypical parkinsonism is generally considered either ineffective or minimal 1. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find alternative therapies to treat atypical parkinsonian disorders. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive tool that modulates cortical excitability with minimal discomfort and holds therapeutic promise in treating neurological and psychiatric disorders.

The basal ganglia-thalamocortical circuits that are affected in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and Corticocbasal Ganglionic Degeneration (CBGD) are likely structurally and functionally segregated. The 'motor' circuit is implicated in parkinsonian akinesia and hypokinesia; a 'prefrontal' circuit is implicated in working memory and mood regulation, and linked with non-motor symptoms such as depression and apathy. In this proposal, we characterize motor and prefrontal network dysfunction in PSP and CBGD patients, and propose that high-frequency and low-frequency rTMS directed over separate motor and prefrontal cortical targets of each network may show specific and selective beneficial effects on motor vs. cognitive function in PSP and CBGD patients, respectively. Quantitative motor outcome measures include timed finger tapping tasks. Quantitative cognitive outcome measures comprise a visual analogue scale (VAS).

If successful, this pilot study will provide proof of principle data to suggest potential benefits for rTMS in PSP/CBGD patients, and provide sufficient data and experience to support future PSP/CBGD studies that include the use of rTMS to investigate the pathophysiology of motor and non-motor features of PSP and CBGD patients.


Detailed Summary:

Background: Drug therapy of atypical parkinsonism is generally ineffective or minimal, and novel therapy approaches for atypical parkinsonian disorders are needed. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive tool that modulates cortical excitability and holds promise in treating neurological/psychiatric disorders. The 'motor' basal ganglia-cortical circuit is implicated in parkinsonian akinesia and hypokinesia; a 'prefrontal' circuit is implicated in working memory (WM) and mood regulation, possibly linked to depression and apathy.

Hypothesis: Motor deficits in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and Corticobasal Ganglionic Degeneration (CBGD) are associated with a dysfunctional motor network; emotional deficits in PSP/CBGD are associated with a dysfunctional prefrontal network. We hypothesize that high-frequency and low-frequency rTMS over cortical targets will selectively and specifically improve tasks and symptoms relevant to that target in PSP and CBGD patients, respectively.

Aims: To contrast cortical excitability characteristics and motor and emotional function between PSP and CBGD patients. To determine selective and specific beneficial rTMS effects over primary motor (M1) and dorsolateral prefrontal (DLPFC) cortex on cortical excitability characteristics and motor and emotional function in PSP and CBGD patients.

Design: Ten individuals with PSP and ten with CBGD will participate in a within-subject cross-sectional design. Motor outcome measures include a timed finger tapping task at comfortable and maximal speed. Quantitative cognitive outcome measures comprise a visual analogue scale of mood states (VAS). After a first baseline visit, PSP patients will receive high-frequency 5 Hz rTMS in two separate visits to two site conditions (left DLP
Sponsor: University of California, Los Angeles

Current Primary Outcome: Cortical excitability (CE) measures expressed in motor evoked potentials (MEP) [ Time Frame: 1 hour ]

We assess cortical excitability (CE) with motor evoked potentials (MEP) and cortical silent periods (CSP) before and after repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).


Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome:

  • visual analog scale (VAS) [ Time Frame: 2 min ]
    We assess mood with a visual analog scale (VAS) of 5 emotions and 1 overall feeling of well-being.
  • tapping speed [ Time Frame: 5 min ]
    tapping speed (movement time and reaction time) will be measured


Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: University of California, Los Angeles

Dates:
Date Received: July 28, 2010
Date Started: October 2008
Date Completion:
Last Updated: May 7, 2014
Last Verified: May 2014