Neurophysiological and cognitive effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in three girls with Rett Syndrome with chronic language impairments

Rosa Angela Fabio; Antonio Gangemi; Tindara Capri; Sarojini Budden; Alessandra Falzone

doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2018.03.008

Neurophysiological and cognitive effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in three girls with Rett Syndrome with chronic language impairments

Res Dev Disabil. 2018 May:76:76-87. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2018.03.008. Epub 2018 Mar 26.

Authors

Rosa Angela Fabio¹, Antonio Gangemi², Tindara Capri³, Sarojini Budden⁴, Alessandra Falzone⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Cognitive Science, Psychological, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Italy. Electronic address: rafabio@unime.it.
² Department of Cognitive Science, Psychological, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Italy. Electronic address: antgangemi@unime.it.
³ Department of Cognitive Science, Psychological, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Italy. Electronic address: tcapri@unime.it.
⁴ St. Vincent's Hospital and Medical Center Portland, OR, United States. Electronic address: sbudden@comcast.net.
⁵ Department of Cognitive Science, Psychological, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Italy. Electronic address: amfalzone@unime.it.

PMID: 29587149
DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2018.03.008

Abstract

Background: this study was based on both neurophysiological decelerated activity and communication deficits in Rett Syndrome (RTT).

Aims: the aim was to examine the neurophysiological and cognitive effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in three girls with RTT with chronic language impairments.

Methods and procedures: we proposed an integrated intervention: tDCS and cognitive empowerment applied to language in order to enhance speech production (new functional sounds and new words). Because maximal gains usually are achieved when tDCS is coupled with behavioral training, we applied tDCS stimulation on Broca's area together with linguistic training.

Outcomes and results: the results indicated a general enhancement in language abilities (an increase in the number of vowel/consonant sounds and words and the production and comprehension through discrimination), motor coordination (functional movements), and neurophysiological parameters (an increase in the frequency and power of alpha, beta and theta bands).

Conclusion and implications: we assume that tDCS stimulation combined with the cognitive empowerment applied to language can significantly influence a chronic impairment even in genetic syndromes. Our results provide data that support the role of tDCS in fostering brain plasticity and in particular in empowering speech production and comprehension in girls with RTT.

Keywords: Cognitive rehabilitation; Language; Neurophysiology; Rett syndrome; Transcranial direct current stimulation.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Adult
Aftercare / methods
Cognition
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
Combined Modality Therapy
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Female
Humans
Intellectual Disability* / diagnosis
Intellectual Disability* / etiology
Intellectual Disability* / psychology
Intellectual Disability* / rehabilitation
Linguistics
Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 / genetics
Mutation
Neurophysiological Monitoring
Outcome Assessment, Health Care
Rett Syndrome* / diagnosis
Rett Syndrome* / genetics
Rett Syndrome* / psychology
Rett Syndrome* / therapy
Speech Articulation Tests / methods
Speech Therapy / methods*
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation / methods*

Substances

MECP2 protein, human
Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2