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

Eur Neurol. 2016;76(1-2):12-8. doi: 10.1159/000447399. Epub 2016 Jun 25.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aphasia, Primary Progressive / diagnosis
  • Aphasia, Primary Progressive / therapy*
  • Cognition / physiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / methods*
  • Treatment Outcome