Right arcuate fasciculus as outcome predictor after low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in nonfluent aphasic stroke.

Background And Purpose: A reliable neuroimaging biomarker to predict language improvement after neuromodulation in post-stroke aphasia is lacking. It is hypothesized that aphasic patients with stroke injuries in the left primary language circuits but with sufficient right arcuate fasciculus (AF) integrity might respond to low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (LF-rTMS), leading to language improvement. This study aimed to assess the microstructural indices of the right AF before LF-rTMS treatment and further correlate with language improvement after the treatment.

Impaired Brain-Heart Relation in Patients With Methamphetamine Use Disorder During VR Induction of Drug Cue Reactivity.

Methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) is an illness associated with severe health consequences. Virtual reality (VR) is used to induce the drug-cue reactivity and significant EEG and ECG abnormalities were found in MUD patients. However, whether a link exists between EEG and ECG abnormalities in patients with MUD during exposure to drug cues remains unknown.

Functional Remodeling Associated With Language Recovery After Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Chronic Aphasic Stroke.

Background: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has shown promising efficacy in improving the language functions in poststroke aphasia. However, randomized controlled trials were lacking to investigate the rTMS-related neuroimaging changes underlying the therapeutic effects on language improvement in chronic aphasia.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of low-frequency rTMS (LF-rTMS) on chronic poststroke aphasia.

Neuronal Abnormalities Induced by an Intelligent Virtual Reality System for Methamphetamine Use Disorder.

Methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) is a brain disease that leads to altered regional neuronal activity. Virtual reality (VR) is used to induce the drug cue reactivity. Previous studies reported significant frequency-specific neuronal abnormalities in patients with MUD during VR induction of drug craving.

Low-Frequency vs. Theta Burst Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for the Treatment of Chronic Non-fluent Aphasia in Stroke: A Proof-of-Concept Study.

Background: Although low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (LF-rTMS) has shown promise in the treatment of poststroke aphasia, the efficacy of high-frequency rTMS (HF-rTMS) has yet to be determined.

Purpose: We investigated the efficacy of intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) in ameliorating chronic non-fluent aphasia and compared it with that of LF-rTMS.

Methods: We randomly assigned patients with poststroke non-fluent aphasia to an ipsilesional iTBS ( = 29), contralesional 1-Hz rTMS ( = 27), or sham ( = 29) group.

Resting-State Network Changes Following Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Patients With Aphasia-A Randomized Controlled Study.

Background: Although repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has exhibited promising efficacy in treating stroke-related aphasia, changes in neuroimaging in response to this therapy remain unclear.

Materials And Methods: By using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI), we examined brain activations associated with language recovery in patients with poststroke nonfluent aphasia during an rTMS intervention. Twenty-six stroke patients with nonfluent aphasia were recruited in this randomized double-blinded study.

Integration of Virtual Reality into Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Improves Cognitive Function in Patients with Parkinson's Disease with Cognitive Impairment: A Proof-of-Concept Study.

Background: Emerging evidence has indicated the positive effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) for the treatment of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Objective: Investigating whether combining virtual reality (VR) training with rTMS can further enhance cognitive improvement induced by rTMS treatment.

Methods: We randomly assigned 40 patients with PD and MCI into three groups, namely the rTMS-VR group (n = 13), rTMS group (n = 11), and sham rTMS group (n = 16).

Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy as a Target Navigator for rTMS Modulation in Patients with Hemiplegia: A Randomized Control Study.

Introduction: Although repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is efficacious for motor neuromodulation in stroke survivors, high interindividual variability for responsiveness remains a concern. Target probing on the skull using a proper brain-mapping technique may help overcome this challenge. This study assessed the feasibility of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) as a target navigator in rTMS treatment for motor facilitation in patients with stroke.

Increased risk of stroke in patients with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is frequently an incidental finding during X-ray examination. Although it has been shown to be associated with several chronic diseases, the hazard of cerebrovascular disease has seldom been explored. Our study aimed at determining the risk of stroke conferred by DISH, which is a retrospective cohort study adopting the largest medical database in Taiwan.

A Machine-Learning-Based Assessment Method for Early-Stage Neurocognitive Impairment by an Immersive Virtual Supermarket.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder. Though it is not yet curable or reversible, research has shown that clinical intervention or intensive cognitive training at an early stage may effectively delay the progress of the disease. As a result, screening populations with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early AD via efficient, effective and low-cost cognitive assessments is important.

Theta Burst Magnetic Stimulation Improves Parkinson's-Related Cognitive Impairment: A Randomised Controlled Study.

Evidence remains mixed as to the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in treating mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). In this study, we examined the short- and long-term effects of patterned rTMS. We randomly assigned 35 patients with PD with MCI to two groups.

Ultrasound-Guided Hydrodilatation With Triamcinolone Acetonide for Adhesive Capsulitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing the Posterior Glenohumeral Recess and the Rotator Cuff Interval Approaches.

For patients with adhesive capsulitis, hydrodilatation is typically performed using corticosteroids with ultrasound guidance via the posterior glenohumeral recess. Recently, a new intervention technique via the rotator cuff interval has been described. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of hydrodilatation with triamcinolone acetonide via the posterior glenohumeral recess and the rotator cuff interval in patients with adhesive capsulitis.

High-frequency versus theta burst transcranial magnetic stimulation for the treatment of poststroke cognitive impairment in humans.

Background: Because the reliability of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in treating poststroke cognitive impairment has not been convincingly demonstrated, we systematically examined the effectiveness of this regimen with 2 protocols.

Methods: We randomly allocated 41 patients with poststroke cognitive impairment to receive 5 Hz rTMS (n = 11), intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS; n = 15) or sham stimulation (n = 15). Each group received 10 stimulation sessions over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

Vagus nerve magnetic modulation facilitates dysphagia recovery in patients with stroke involving the brainstem - A proof of concept study.

Background & Aims: Stroke involving the brainstem (SBS) causes severe oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD). Research on the therapeutic efficacy of vagus nerve modulation (VNM) by using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in SBS patients with OD has been limited thus far. We aimed to assess the effect of VNM by using rTMS in improving swallowing function after SBS.

Energy Homeostasis and Abnormal RNA Metabolism in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal motor neuron disease that is clinically characterized by progressive muscle weakness and impaired voluntary movement due to the loss of motor neurons in the brain, brain stem and spinal cord. To date, no effective treatment is available. Ample evidence suggests that impaired RNA homeostasis and abnormal energy status are two major pathogenesis pathways in ALS.

Effects of Computer-Aided Interlimb Force Coupling Training on Paretic Hand and Arm Motor Control following Chronic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: We investigated the training effects of interlimb force coupling training on paretic upper extremity outcomes in patients with chronic stroke and analyzed the relationship between motor recovery of the paretic hand, arm and functional performances on paretic upper limb.

Design: A randomized controlled trial with outcome assessment at baseline and after 4 weeks of intervention.

Setting: Taipei Veterans General Hospital, National Yang-Ming University.

Efficacy of synchronous verbal training during repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in patients with chronic aphasia.

Background And Purpose: Although multiple studies have suggested that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) may facilitate recovery after stroke, the efficacy of synchronous speech therapy integrated with an rTMS protocol has yet to be determined. We investigated language responses to this strategy and determined the longevity of the resulting therapeutic outcomes.

Methods: Forty-five patients with stroke who presented with nonfluent aphasia were randomly assigned to the TMSsyn group and underwent synchronous picture-naming training together with contralesional 1 Hz-rTMS for 10 daily sessions.

Corticospinal integrity and motor impairment predict outcomes after excitatory repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation: a preliminary study.

Objective: To identify the effective predictors for therapeutic outcomes based on intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS).

Design: A sham-controlled, double-blind parallel study design.

Setting: A tertiary hospital.

Inhibitory repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the contralesional premotor and primary motor cortices facilitate poststroke motor recovery.

Purpose: The premotor cortex plays a major role in motor planning and control, exhibiting hierarchical importance comparable to that of the primary motor cortex (M1). In this study, we compared the effects of cPMd modulation, which was achieved using inhibitory repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), with those of contralesional M1 (cM1) modulation, to elucidate the roles of both regions on longitudinal motor recovery following a stroke.

Methods: Forty-four patients who had sustained hemiplegia for 3 to 12 months were randomly allocated to a cPMd group, cM1 group, or sham group and received 10 sessions of 1-Hz rTMS.

Interactive 3-dimensional virtual reality rehabilitation for patients with chronic imbalance and vestibular dysfunction.

Background: Chronic imbalance is common in patients with vestibular dysfunction. Vestibular rehabilitation is effective in improving upright balance control. Vestibular rehabilitation exercises, such as Cawthorne-Cooksey exercises, include simple repetitive movements and have limited feedback and adaptive training protocols.

Long-term sacral magnetic stimulation for refractory stress urinary incontinence.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of sacral magnetic stimulation (SMS) on functional and urodynamic improvement in patients with refractory stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Design: A sham-controlled, double-blind, parallel study design with a 4.5-month follow-up.

Serum estradiol levels predict survival and acute kidney injury in patients with septic shock--a prospective study.

Sex hormones have diverse immunomodulatory effects that may be involved in the pathogenesis of sepsis. However, the roles of serum sex hormones in predicting outcomes and the severity of organ dysfunction, especially acute kidney injury (AKI), in septic shock patients remains controversial. We prospectively enrolled 107 clinically diagnosed pneumonia-related septic shock patients and serum sex hormone levels were measured on the day of shock onset.

Machine learning-based assessment tool for imbalance and vestibular dysfunction with virtual reality rehabilitation system.

Background And Objective: Dizziness is a major consequence of imbalance and vestibular dysfunction. Compared to surgery and drug treatments, balance training is non-invasive and more desired. However, training exercises are usually tedious and the assessment tool is insufficient to diagnose patient's severity rapidly.

The persistent and broadly modulating effect of inhibitory rTMS in nonfluent aphasic patients: a sham-controlled, double-blind study.

Background: While prior preliminary studies have broadened our understanding of how repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) improves language outcomes in stroke patients with nonfluent aphasia, the evidence base of the effectiveness of this method remains inadequate.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to strengthen the evidence that this approach improves language performance and to identify characteristics of patients predisposed to benefit most from this treatment.

Methods: Fifty-six stroke patients with nonfluent aphasia were randomly allocated to a real or a sham stimulation group: Group A (n = 33), who underwent 10 sessions of 1-Hz rTMS over the contralesional pars triangularis (PTr), and Group B (n = 23), who received sham 1-Hz stimulation.

Differential effect of conditioning sequences in coupling inhibitory/facilitatory repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for poststroke motor recovery.

Introduction: While neuromodulation through unihemispheric repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has shown promise for the motor recovery of stroke patients, the effectiveness of the coupling of different rTMS protocols remains unclear.

Aims: We aimed to test the long-term efficacy of this strategy with different applying sequences and to identify the electrophysiological correlates of motor improvements to the paretic hand.

Results: In our sham-controlled, double-blinded parallel study, 48 stroke patients (2-6 months poststroke) were randomly allocated to three groups.