Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Study Cognitive Impairment in Parkinsons Disease

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying Parkinsons disease PD, focusing on how cognitive decline affects people with this condition. The study explores the use of neurophysiological biomarkers from paired-pulse Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation TMS to diagnose and predict cognitive changes in PD patients. It aims to see if TMS measures can distinguish between normal cognitive function, mild cognitive impairment PD-MCI, and dementia related to PD, and whether these measures can predict progression over time. Participants will undergo TMS tests using paired-pulse techniques that measure Short Interval Cortical Inhibition SICI, Short Latency Afferent Inhibition SAI, and Intracortical Facilitation ICF. These measures assess brain circuit function related to neurotransmitters affected by PD. Patients are grouped by their cognitive status and tested initially and then again at one, two, and three years. The study compares these measures across groups and over time to evaluate their diagnostic and prognostic value. During the study, participants will have comprehensive neurological and neuropsychological evaluations alongside TMS testing. Researchers will collect and compare TMS data at baseline and follow-up visits to track changes in cognitive status. The main outcomes involve comparing SAI, SICI, and ICF measures among patients with normal cognition, mild impairment, and dementia, and assessing changes in these measures as cognitive decline progresses. The study is expected to last at least three years, allowing for long-term monitoring of cognitive changes in PD.

TMS-related Measures as Biomarker of Cognitive Impairment in PD