Effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation on neurobiological changes in Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline and brain neuronal loss. A pioneering field of research in AD is brain stimulation via electromagnetic fields (EMFs), which may produce clinical benefits. Noninvasive brain stimulation techniques, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), have been developed to treat neurological and psychiatric disorders. The purpose of the present review is to identify neurobiological changes, including inflammatory, neurodegenerative, apoptotic, neuroprotective and genetic changes, which are associated with repetitive TMS (rTMS) treatment in patients with AD. Furthermore, it aims to evaluate the effect of TMS treatment in patients with AD and to identify the associated mechanisms. The present review highlights the changes in inflammatory and apoptotic mechanisms, mitochondrial enzymatic activities, and modulation of gene expression (microRNA expression profiles) associated with rTMS or sham procedures. At the molecular level, it has been suggested that EMFs generated by TMS may affect the cell redox status and amyloidogenic processes. TMS may also modulate gene expression by acting on both transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms. TMS may increase brain cortical excitability, induce specific potentiation phenomena, and promote synaptic plasticity and recovery of impaired functions; thus, it may re-establish cognitive performance in patients with AD.

1. Introduction

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most frequent, heterogeneous and severe form of dementia; it is characterized by chronic, gradual and progressive memory loss, and a decline in two or more cognitive functions. The clinical hallmarks of AD include memory deficits and the associated deterioration of attention, executive function, cognitive ability and behavioral abilities. AD is a progressive and complex neurodegenerative disorder, which eventually causes social or occupational impairment (1–3). In 2020, AD accounted for 60–80% of all dementia cases out of the 50 million patients with dementia worldwide (4). The literature has demonstrated that the neuro- and histopathological hallmarks expressively include the buildup of extracellular amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides as amyloid plaques and intracellular aggregates of hyperphosphorylated tau protein in the form of neurofibrillary tangles, which disturb microtubule organization and cholinergic dysfunction (3,5). Furthermore, granulovacuolar degeneration (6), neuroinflammation (7), oxidative stress (8), reactive oxygen species (ROS) (9), glutamate dyshomeostasis (10), immunosenescence (11), aggregation of misfolded proteins (12), and mitochondrial oxidative and nitrosative stress (13) also affect the central nervous system, promoting neural dysfunction and synaptic loss, thus leading to increased vulnerability to neuronal degeneration and cell death in AD (6–12). In addition, aging remains a major pathological risk factor for AD (14). These clinicopathological entities ultimately lead to neurodegeneration, synaptic dysfunction, hippocampal degeneration and atrophy, thus culminating in memory, cognitive and functional decline (10,15–17).

Researchers have been increasingly interested in examining reliable novel imaging techniques [i.e., functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET)] (18) and in vivo biomarkers (such as β-amyloid and tau protein) (19) involved in the various pathologies of AD, and numerous molecular marker tests [Aβ positron emission tomography (PET), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) total or phosphorylated tau and tau PET)] (19) have been developed to detect such pathologies. The outcomes of neuro-imaging technique and blood-based biomarkers will be important in identifying the molecular mechanisms and pathological pathways responsible for the neurodegenerative progression and development of AD. Since Aβ peptides and phosphorylated tau proteins are highly present in AD, these molecules are considered to be biomarkers that can be used for the neurochemical diagnosis of AD (20). The cerebrospinal fluid concentration, and blood and plasma levels of Aβ and phosphorylated tau are the most accurate biological markers for diagnosing AD (21–23).

Over the past few decades, there has been increasing interest in biological markers to understand and diagnose AD via imaging techniques. The application of neuroimaging biomarkers has become a standard tool for understanding the preclinical stages of AD and for periodic follow-up, as well as for diagnosing AD (24). Various neuroimaging biomarkers, including amyloid positron emission tomography imaging (25), MRI (26) and optical coherence tomography (27), have been used for the diagnosis of AD. Over the past two decades, noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) with electromagnetic fields (EMFs) has received much interest regarding neuropsychiatric disorders, and this research area has progressed greatly (28). Among the NIBS techniques, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has emerged as a potential method providing a promising avenue to treat cognitive impairment, such as AD (2,29). A number of experimental studies on animal models and clinical trials have demonstrated the beneficial therapeutic effects of TMS on neurodegenerative disorders (30,31), including AD (32,33). Increasing evidence indicates that TMS treatment permits the neurophysiological (including motor cortex and neuronal activities) (34,35) and neurochemical (BDNF, TrkB) (36,37) functions to work more precisely, and TMS also regulates biomarkers level and further improves the accurate and precise functioning of neurons in AD (Fig. 1). In addition, research suggests that TMS improves neural branching, cortical excitability and cognitive processes in AD (38). Repetitive TMS (rTMS) provides a safe and noninvasive technique, which modulates cortical excitability, neurochemical functions and neuronal polarization (39,40). However, to the best of our knowledge, the precise molecular mechanism behind the neurorestorative effects of TMS is not yet fully understood. The neurological changes, including inflammatory, neurodegenerative, apoptotic, neuroprotective and genetic changes, during and after TMS treatment in patients with AD are also not precisely known. The present review focuses on TMS and rTMS, as an efficient technique, giving an overview of the changes in inflammatory and apoptotic mechanisms, mitochondrial and enzymatic activities, and modulation of gene expression [or microRNA (miRNA/miR) expression profiles] in patients with AD. The present review also examines the clinical and neurochemical changes associated with rTMS in patients with AD.

Figure 1.

Schematic representation of the proposed paradigm demonstrating neurochemical changes in normal aging and AD, and the effects of TMS on these neurobiological changes, indicating that TMS may restore brain function. Aβ, amyloid-β; AD, Alzheimer's disease; APP, amyloid-β precursor protein; BACE1, β-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1; BDNF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor; CTFs, C-terminal fragments; NAA/Cr, N-acetylaspartate/creatine; NeuN, neuronal nuclear protein; NGFs, nerve growth factors; NMDAR, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor; rTMS, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation; TrkB, tropomyosin receptor kinase B; zif268, Zinc finger-containing transcription factor 268.

2. TMS

NIBS techniques are emerging and revolutionizing neuroscience research. NIBS, particularly by EMFs, allows the study of the relationship between the brain and certain behaviors. NIBS techniques include TMS, transcranial direct current stimulation and electroconvulsive therapy (39,41). TMS is a well-known neurophysiological NIBS technique that was first introduced in 1985 (42). NIBS using TMS does not require any surgery, anesthetic agents, skin preparation or intravenous systems, and it is a painless technique (43), and thus, is rapidly becoming an efficient therapeutic tool in cognitive neuroscience research. At present, TMS is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved therapy for treating major depressive disorder (44,45), treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (46) and migraine headaches (47). However, a number of animal models and clinical trials have demonstrated promising results in treating cognitive and neurodegenerative disorders (43), including AD (48,49) and Parkinson's disease (30,50,51). It has been suggested that TMS could be used to treat between 70 and 80% of AD cases (52). The therapeutic value of TMS may be achieved by applying EMFs to the predetermined cortical target based on Faraday's principle of electromagnetic induction, which was established in the latter half of the nineteenth century (53). It involves the application of time-varying MRI-strength magnetic fields near the scalp and superficial layer of the cerebral cortex, inducing focal electric currents, known as ‘Eddy currents’, which run in the opposite direction to the current in the coil and generate a magnetic field that induces currents (54,55). When the stimulation of the magnetic coil occurs tangentially near the M1 region, an appropriately strong stimulus is administered, and the powerful magnetic field penetrates the scalp and skull, where it activates underlying neurons and synapses, depolarizing axons in the targeted brain areas, and thus, stimulating the brain region (56–58).

Types of TMS

TMS can be applied either in single pulses of stimulation [single-pulse TMS (sTMS)], pairs of stimuli [paired-pulse TMS (ppTMS)] separated by variable intervals [interstimulus interval (ISI)] or trains of repetitive stimuli (rTMS) that repeatedly pulse the EMFs at variable frequencies applied to the brain regions (59).

sTMS is used to map cortico-motor outputs and assess central motor conduction time, motor-evoked potential (MEP) and motor cortical outputs. sTMS is delivered in single pulses of stimulation that are separated by time intervals of 4–8 sec (59).

ppTMS, which runs alternate to conventional TMS, is used to measure intracortical facilitation, cortico-cortical connection excitability, motor cortex connectivity (inhibition and facilitation) and motor cortical pathways. ppTMS utilizes two successive pulse stimuli, conditioning the stimulus with a test stimulus that is separated by an ISI. A short ISI lasts for a few milliseconds, and a long ISI ranges between tens and hundreds of milliseconds (54,59,60).

rTMS has gained much interest from neuroscientists due to its positive effects on cognitive tasks, and behavioral and normal brain functioning (61). rTMS induces trains of electric currents to the predetermined brain region that are delivered through pulsating magnetic fields with a time interval of a maximum of 2 sec (54). High-frequency rTMS (HF-rTMS; 10–20 Hz) tends to increase cortical excitability, intercellular interactions and MEP amplitude. Low-frequency rTMS (LF-rTMS; 1–5 Hz) reduces cortical excitability and MEP amplitude (62). HF-rTMS and LF-rTMS have opposite effects on brain regions but both have potential therapeutic effects. It has been suggested that rTMS exerts long-lasting effects on cortical excitability and plasticity (59,63).

TMS is a widely accepted and well-established technique allowing for the assessment and modulation of neural excitability and neuroplasticity of pre-specified brain regions. TMS is an effective and promising neuromodulation treatment, as it enhances the functional recovery of cortical and neural function (64). At the molecular level, it has been proposed that TMS modifies neural excitability, the functional integrity of neural circuits, neuroplasticity, synapses and normal brain activity (43). TMS-evoked therapeutic effects can spread to the interconnected cortical region, subcortical structures, spinal cord and roots (59). TMS could potentially be used to treat neurological disorders, including AD; however, the underlying cellular processes and mechanisms of its therapeutic effects are still not clearly understood.

3. AD and NIBS by TMS

AD is a neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by cognitive decline and brain neuronal loss of an unknown etiology. Early studies have provided a basic and molecular understanding the pathogenesis of AD (1,65). AD neuropathology is considered to be commonly associated with altered neuroplasticity, neurotrophic impairment, neurotransmitter failure and synaptic loss. Furthermore, synaptic dysfunction is noted in the early stages of AD and has become a therapeutic target for pharmaceutical agents (1,65). However, more research is required to clarify the pathogenesis of AD. A pioneering field of research in AD is brain stimulation via EMFs, which may have clinical and therapeutic benefits. Numerous studies and a few clinical trials have demonstrated the potential therapeutic effects of NIBS, particularly TMS, on patients with AD (2,36,66). Due to the ageing process, the cognitive decline and deterioration of neural plasticity occurs, which may worsens by MCI or AD. However, TMS improves cognitive ability and increases neural plasticity. Therefore, NIBS techniques exerts a neuroprotective effect on AD (Fig. 2). Although TMS treatment is approved by the FDA for depression (44), it is still an experimental therapy for AD. Extensive research has indicated that TMS might be an effective treatment for patients with AD (67,68). TMS promote synapses, neurogenesis and normal brain functioning stability that aid in the treatment of AD (63). To the best of our knowledge, the basic mechanism behind the neurorestorative effects of treatment with EMFs in patients with AD is still elusive. Furthermore, the neurological and neurochemical changes during and after TMS treatment in patients with AD are not clearly explained. Previous studies have suggested that changes in inflammatory and apoptotic mechanisms, mitochondrial enzymatic activities, and modulation of gene expression (miRNA expression profiles) may be associated with TMS or sham procedures (69,70).

Figure 2.

Proposed mechanism of cognitive decline and deterioration of neural plasticity throughout life, which may worsen by mild cognitive impairment and accentuate a maladaptive path to AD. Non-invasive brain stimulation or aerobic exercise improves cognitive ability and increases neural plasticity. Therefore, non-invasive brain stimulation or aerobic exercise exerts a neuroprotective effect on AD. AD, Alzheimer's disease.

4. Neurobiological changes associated with TMS in AD

The present review identifies neurobiological changes, including the inflammatory, neurodegenerative, apoptotic, neuroprotective and genetic changes, associated with TMS treatment in patients with AD.

Neural restoration by TMS

Neurotrophic factors (NTFs) regulate the growth, survival, proliferation, migration and differentiation of neurons (71). Therefore, NTFs have been extensively studied in the context of neurodegenerative disorders, including AD (72). In AD, the altered expression and gradual dysregulation of NTFs, such as nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), have been observed in different brain areas (73,74). Numerous experimental studies have indicated the reduction of NTFs in affected brain regions (72,73). These changes in NTFs in AD are critical for neurodegenerative processes. Studies have observed that cognitive decline and the underlying pathologies of AD are associated with neurodegeneration in various regions of the brain, especially cholinergic neurons of the basal forebrain and their projections for the hippocampus and cortex (72,75,76). It has been suggested that the loss of NTFs may be a mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of AD (77). The regulation of NTFs could be a suitable therapeutic target for AD treatment.

As a noninvasive neuromodulatory intervention, TMS or rTMS treatment may potentially regulate the expression of NTFs in the AD brain (Fig. 1), promoting neuronal differentiation and survival (78), and thus, exerting neurorestorative effects. Notably, a number of studies have indicated an increase in endogenous neurotrophic content (BDNF) in the affected brain regions after TMS therapy (2,74). BDNF is a neurotrophin involved in synaptic plasticity changes and improves learning, memory and cognitive functions via the BDNF-tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) signaling pathway (32,74). Therefore, BDNF serves a critical role in memory formation and synapsis. However, deficits in BDNF signaling are associated with AD (79). Furthermore, the expression levels of BDNF are altered in neurodegenerative disorders, for example the BDNF levels are decreased in AD (80). A study by Choung et al (32) revealed an increase in BDNF expression, as well as neuronal nuclear protein (NeuN) and neuroepithelial stem cell protein (Nestin), after 20 Hz HF-rTMS compared with the non-rTMS group or sham group in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex regions. It was concluded that rTMS exerted neurogenic and neuroprotective effects and promoted neurogenesis (Table I) (32). A similar increase in BDNF has also been observed after rTMS treatment in a number of other studies (36,81). Additionally, rTMS treatment positively regulates the BDNF receptor TrkB. Chen et al (81) observed an increase in TrkB in the AD brain after 5 Hz HF-rTMS. In addition, LF-rTMS also regulates BDNF levels in AD (Table I) (82). A previous study revealed that 1 Hz LF-rTMS upregulates BDNF content in the hippocampal region of the AD brain (82). Tan et al (82) also reported the effects of LF-rTMS on another NTF, NGF, which is essential for growth, development, survival and neuronal population. The expression of NGFs has been found to be altered in AD (Table I). The 1 Hz LF-rTMS treatment upregulates NGF content in AD (Aβ injected mice) group compared to control (saline injected) group (82). Similar results have also been published by Chen et al (83), who applied both 1 and 10 Hz rTMS and observed that both frequencies of rTMS regulated the brain levels of NTFs (BDNF and NGF), and these increased with increased frequency. Furthermore, glial cells, astrocytes and neurons secrete BDNF and NGF, which could be increased following rTMS treatment, therefore rescue memory deficit (82) In contrast to that in AD, various studies have indicated that rTMS application tends to decrease BDNF levels in healthy volunteers (84,85). However, the precise mechanisms of direct evaluation of BDNF levels in humans after TMS treatment remain unclear (86). BDNF levels are associated with TMS treatment, both during and after treatment. Briefly, these findings suggest that BDNF could be an ideal biomarker for TMS treatment for patients with AD.

Table I.

Neurobiological changes and neurobiological biomarkers associated with the potential disease-modifying and anti-AD effects of TMS.

First author/s, year	Study subject	Neurobiological marker observed	TMS parameters	Results	TMS outcomes	(Refs.)
Choung et al, 2021	Intracerebroventricular Aβ42-induced mouse model of AD	Dopamine, BDNF, DR4, Nestin and NeuN	20 Hz HF-rTMS and 1 Hz LF-rTMS	DR4, BDNF, Nestin and NeuN increased in the Hr-AD group compared with that in the Lr-AD and Nr-AD groups.	Enhanced spatial working memory, improved neurocognitive progress, increased neurogenesis, and neurogenic, neuroprotective and neuroregenerative effects.	(32)
Chen et al, 2020	APP/PS1 double-mutant transgenic mouse model of AD	BDNF, TrkB, synaptic plasticity-related proteins (PSD95 and SYN), p-AKT, LC3II, LC3I, ApoE and p62	5 Hz HF-rTMS	No differences in SYN, PSD95 and p-AKT. BDNF, BDNF-TrkB signaling and LC3II/LC3I ratio increased, and ApoE and p62 decreased.	Reduced the cognitive impairment of learning and memory, lessened the AD pathology progression and AD-like dysfunctions, enhanced the hippocampal autophagy level and enhanced the cognitive function.	(81)
Tan et al, 2013	Aβ1-42-induced toxicity rat model of AD	Neurotrophins (NGF and BDNF) and NMDA-receptor levels (NR1, NR2A and NR2B)	1 Hz LF-rTMS	BDNF, NGF, NR1, NR2A and NR2B increased.	Increased hippocampal neurotrophins and NMDA-receptor contents, enhanced hippocampal LTP, reversed memory deficits, and improved spatial memory retrieval ability.	(82)
Chen et al, 2019	Aβ1-42-induced toxicity rat model of AD	BDNF, NGF, GSK-3β, p-GSK-3β, Tau, p-Tau, β-catenin and p-β-catenin, cleaved caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2	10 Hz HF-rTMS and 1 Hz LF-rTMS	BDNF, NGF, GSK-3β, Tau, Bcl-2, β-catenin increased. P-GSK-3β, p-Tau, cleaved caspase-3, Bax and p-β-catenin decreased.	Improved cognitive function, decreased neuron apoptosis, increased neuronal viability, promoted the survival of neurons and improved cognitive function.	(83)
Velioglu et al, 2021	Patients with AD	BDNF, total antioxidant status, total thiol, native thiol, total oxidant status, oxidative stress index, oxidant enzyme activity and disulfide level	20 Hz HF-rTMS	BDNF, total antioxidant status, total thiol and native thiol increased. Total oxidant status, oxidative stress index, oxidant enzyme activity and disulfide levels decreased.	Increased visual recognition memory functions, decreased oxidant status, increased anti-oxidant levels and improvement in familiarity-based cognition.	(36)
Zhang et al, 2019	Patients with AD	Ratio of NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr and mI/Cr	10 Hz rTMS	NAA/Cr increased. Cho/Cr and mI/Cr remained unchanged.	Prevented neuronal functional deterioration, improved cognitive function and ameliorated agitation and apathy.	(134)
Huang et al, 2017	APP23/PS45 double-mutant transgenic mouse model of AD	APP, CTFs (C99 and C89) and BACE1	1 Hz LF-rTMS	APP, β-secretase-β-secretase-cleaved C-terminal fragments of amyloid precursor protein. (C99, C89), and BACE1 decreased.	Improved spatial learning and memory, rescued impaired hippocampal LTP, reduced AD-related neuropathology, inhibited β-secretase cleavage of APP proteins and reduced neuritic plaque formation.	(136)
Perez et al, 2021	Primary human brain cultures	Aβ40 and Aβ42 levels	Repeated electromagnetic field stimulation (3 mT; 75 Hz)	Aβ40 and Aβ42 decreased.	Decreased Aβ toxicity.	(154)
Capelli et al, 2017	Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from peripheral blood of patients with AD	miRNAs (miR-107, miR-335-5p and miR26b-5p) and BACE1	75 Hz low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field	BACE1 and miRNAs decreased with increasing time of exposure.	Modulated the expression of miRNAs, stimulated epigenetic regulation, and regulated brain signaling and synaptic plasticity.	(70)

Aβ40, amyloid β40 oligomer; Aβ1-42, 42-residue peptide of amyloid β; Aβ42, amyloid β42 oligomer; AD, Alzheimer's disease; ApoE, apolipoprotein E; APP, amyloid-β precursor protein; BACE1, β-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1; BDNF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor; Cho/Cr, choline/creatine; CTFs, C-terminal fragments; DR4, dopamine receptor 4; HF-rTMS, high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation; Hr-AD, high-frequency rTMS-treated subgroup; LF-rTMS, low-frequency rTMS; Lr-AD, low-frequency rTMS-treated subgroup; LTP, long-term potentiation; mI/Cr, myoinositol/creatine; miRNA/miR, microRNA; mT, Motor Threshold; NAA/Cr, N-acetylaspartate/creatine; NeuN, neuronal nuclear protein; NGF, nerve growth factor; NMDA, N-methyl-D-aspartate; NMDAR, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor; NR1, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 1; NR2A, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 2A; NR2B, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 2B; Nr-AD, none rTMS-treated subgroup; p-, phosphorylated; PS1, presenilin-1; PS45, presenilin 45; PSD95, postsynaptic density protein 95; SYN, synaptophysin; TrkB, tropomyosin receptor kinase B.

Antioxidant effects of TMS application

Oxidative stress serves a key role in the etiology and pathogenesis of AD. The imbalance in cell redox status, ROS production and impaired antioxidant defense lead to oxidative stress (87). These forms of damage serve a pivotal role in cellular dysfunction, potentially harming the neurons in aging and neurodegenerative disorders, including AD. AD research has revealed that oxidative stress and free radical damage are associated with histopathological hallmarks of AD, such as amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (88,89). ROS are free radical oxygen byproducts containing an unpaired electron in their valence shell, and these are generated as a result of cellular respiration. The excessive buildup of ROS, including oxygen radical superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, in the cells or neurons causes DNA or RNA oxidative damage, leading to cell death and tissue damage (87). Mitochondrial dysfunction generates excessive ROS as the byproduct of the electron transport chain, ameliorating the risk of AD (90,91). Therefore, oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction adversely affect the brain, leading to aging and neurodegenerative disorders, particularly AD. Furthermore, studies have indicated that oxidative stress and BDNF are associated with each other (89,92). In addition, oxidative stress could be considered a promising biomarker of AD prognosis (93). In line with this, TMS treatment noninvasively modulates and balances BDNF and oxidative stress levels, thus exerting beneficial antioxidant effects in patients with AD (Fig. 1) (36). Some studies have reported that rTMS increases BDNF levels and decreases oxidative stress in treatment-resistant depression (94), stroke (95) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (96). However, there are a limited number of experimental studies in the literature demonstrating the effects of TMS on oxidative stress in AD. Only a recent study by Velioglu et al (36) has analyzed the beneficial effects of rTMS on BDNF and oxidative stress levels in patients with AD. For this purpose, 20 Hz rTMS was applied to the lateral parietal cortex in patients with AD. The levels of BDNF, total antioxidant status, total thiol levels and native thiol levels were increased after 20 Hz rTMS treatment. Furthermore, the total oxidant status, oxidative stress index, oxidant enzyme activity and disulfide levels were decreased following left lateral parietal rTMS (Table I) (36). Oxidative stress could be an effective target for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders; however, there remains a large research gap in terms of investigating the influence of TMS on oxidative stress, antioxidant defense systems, total oxidant/antioxidant status and antioxidant enzymes. More studies are required to fill this research gap.

TMS facilitates synapsis by regulating neurotransmitters

The onset of AD also negatively influences the metabolism, levels and functioning of synaptic neurotransmitters. There are important contributions of cholinergic and noncholinergic neurotransmitter systems behind the pathophysiological signaling in AD (97). Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that are released from a nerve to stimulate other nerves across the synapse. Neurotransmitters, including dopamine, glutamate, aspartate and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), serve a key role in cognitive control, learning and memory development (98). Therefore, alterations in the metabolism and expression of neurotransmitters lead to synaptic dysfunction, cognitive impairment, learning disabilities and memory deficits. A number of studies have emphasized that the expression of neurotransmitters and receptors is markedly reduced in patients with AD (97,99). Therefore, targeting neurotransmitters, as well as their receptors, could be a rational approach to overcome AD. NIBS by EMF from TMS has the potential to minimize symptoms and elucidate AD pathology by positively regulating neurotransmitter parameters (e.g. dopamine; Fig. 1).

Dopamine is a monoamine neurotransmitter produced in dopaminergic neurons; it is involved in synaptic plasticity and regulates mood, emotional stability, and cognitive and motor function (100). The dopamine receptors (D₁, D₂, D₃, D₄ and D₅) are G-protein-coupled receptors that are mostly expressed in the limbic system and cortex (101). The dopaminergic system serves a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of AD (102). The loss and decrease in dopamine content and its receptors are frequently reported in patients with AD, causing motor impairment and cognitive decline (99,103,104). TMS increases the levels of dopamine and dopamine receptors in patients with AD. However, a limited number of studies have been conducted regarding dopamine levels after TMS application. Furthermore, in healthy volunteers, dopamine tends to increase following deep TMS therapy (105). In a recent study by Choung et al (32), HF (20 Hz) and LF (1 Hz) rTMS were applied to assess dopamine levels and receptor concentrations after rTMS application. The findings suggested that HF-rTMS and LF-rTMS increased the dopamine levels in the hippocampus. The expression of dopamine receptor 4 (DR4) was increased after 1 Hz LF-rTMS in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of the AD brain compared with that of the LF and non-rTMS AD groups (32). After TMS therapy, the dopamine levels are also increased in healthy volunteers (105,106). The increases in dopamine levels after TMS could allow monitoring of the progress of the brain stimulation of patients with AD by TMS. The dopamine level also has the potential to be a biomarker for TMS treatment.

The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) is a critical molecule that serves a key role in synaptic transmission, synaptic plasticity, hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), learning and memory (107). NMDAR is a glutamate receptor that is important for excitatory neurotransmitter transmission, synapsis and memory formation (108). In AD, Aβ plaques trigger excessive calcium (Ca²⁺) influx, which enters into neurons via NMDARs, leading to gradual synaptic dysfunction and neuronal cell death (109). However, NMDAR is downregulated in patients with AD (110). Battaglia et al (111) observed neocortical plasticity impairment in patients with AD and amyloid precursor protein (APP)/presenilin-1 mice, which could cause functional deficits of NMDAR. It has been observed that TMS application can regulate neurotransmitters, including NMDAR expression, effectively affecting cognitive function (112). Low-frequency (1 Hz) rTMS increases NMDAR expression, also increasing NMDAR subunits (NR1, NR2A and NR2B) in the hippocampus, thus facilitating LTP and memory formation (82). Furthermore, an increase in NMDAR and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression has been observed in a rat model of vascular dementia (VaD) following 5 Hz rTMS treatment (112) and 1 Hz rTMS (69). The increase in NMDAR-related amino acids has also been observed after LF-rTMS (1 Hz) by Niimi et al (113) in patients after stroke. Furthermore, it has been observed that upregulation of NMDAR contributes to enhanced neurotrophic effects (107). Therefore, treating memory deficits promotes synaptic plasticity, hippocampal plasticity and memory formation. Impaired NMDAR function could alter plasticity in AD. An improved understanding of AD pathophysiology would facilitate the development of a novel treatment that regulates NMDAR function and improves plasticity, learning and memory deficits in patients with AD. Furthermore, an increase in NMDAR expression facilitates neuronal recovery following rTMS.

TMS suppresses apoptosis and exerts neuroprotective effects

In neurodegenerative disorders, particularly AD, excessive neuronal loss is considered to be common due to apoptosis, which acts as a major cell death pathway in neurons (114,115). In AD, the levels of apoptosis-related Bcl-2 are downregulated, while those of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 are upregulated (116). TMS noninvasively regulates and balances the apoptotic pathways, thus exerting its beneficial effects on the brains of patients with AD (Fig. 1) (33,82,83). TMS suppresses the apoptotic pathways by inhibiting several members of the Bcl-2 family, particularly Bad, Bax and Bcl-X_L, which enhances apoptosis. rTMS (1 and 10 Hz) treatment in AD mouse models increased apoptosis, as reflected by enhanced Bcl-2 expression and decreased levels of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 (83). Similarly, in a VaD rat model, 1 Hz rTMS was found to increase Bcl-2 expression and suppress Bax expression (69). A study on a middle cerebral artery occlusion rat model revealed that 10 Hz rTMS treatment markedly upregulated Bcl-2 expression and decreased the levels of Bax and TUNEL-positive cells in the ischemic hippocampus (117). Studies have demonstrated that rTMS suppresses the apoptosis and apoptotic pathways, and thus, rTMS may improve cognitive impairment and exert neuroprotective effects on neurons in an affected brain, particularly in AD (78,83,118). rTMS regulates Bcl-2 and Bax expression, which can promote the functional recovery of cognitive impairments and enhance the protective mechanisms of learning and memory with increased synaptic plasticity; this mechanism may be mediated by the BDNF signaling pathway (117). More research is required to study the effects of TMS on apoptosis in AD pathology. However, TMS could be a promising candidate for the clinical treatment of AD.

Cognitive rehabilitation and improvement in memory and executive functions by TMS

AD is associated with progressive and irreversible loss of memory, decline in cognitive function, and deterioration of attention, executive function, thinking and behavioral abilities. In AD, language, reasoning, social behavior, verbal and auditory naming, and the ability to carry out simple tasks are also severely impaired due to underlying neurodegenerative processes (119–121). Executive functions, including working memory and selective attention, are typically associated with the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Impaired DLPFC neuroplasticity is associated with the physiopathology of AD, severely affecting the executive functions in patients with AD (122,123). Some studies have assessed DLPFC plasticity in patients with AD using paired associative stimulation (PAS), a TMS paradigm, as a measure of DLPFC and potentiation of cortical-evoked activity (124). PAS is the combination of repeated pairing of single pulses of peripheral nerve electrical stimulation with single pulses of TMS of the contralateral cerebral cortex. PAS (TMS with electroencephalography) results in short-term modulation of corticospinal excitability and induces LTP-like plasticity in the different pathological stages of AD (122,124,125). Furthermore, the impaired LTP-like cortical plasticity could be a potential biomarker for the prognosis of AD (126). A recent study revealed that 20 Hz rTMS improved cognition in AD (29). Cortical LTP-like plasticity is associated with cognitive function improvement in patients with AD following rTMS (49). In view of this, TMS positively regulates executive function, cognitive ability and visuospatial learning behavior in DLPFC (127).

Numerous studies have highlighted the fact that TMS can improve cognitive and executive functions, memory and language ability in patients with AD (29,33,66,128). However, to the best of our knowledge, the molecular and metabolic changes following rTMS are still unknown. The effects of LF-rTMS and HF-rTMS on neuronal plasticity and the learning process in memory tasks have been studied extensively. Cappa et al (129) reported that 20 Hz rTMS activates the DLPFC, facilitating object and action naming. Similarly, high-frequency (20 Hz) rTMS applied to the left and right DLPFC improves naming performance not only in mild AD (130), but also in severe AD (131). rTMS may enable the intrinsic ability of the brain to recover damaged function (131). Another study by Cotelli et al (132) suggested that rhythmic HF-rTMS over DLPFC exerts beneficial effects on sentence comprehension and may be used to treat language dysfunction in patients with AD. However, the exact underlying mechanisms involved in rTMS improving naming and speech are still elusive. Ahmed et al (133) demonstrated that (20 Hz) HF-rTMS for five daily sessions over the left and right DLPFC improved cognitive functions in patients with mild to moderate AD. Zhang et al (134) combined HF-rTMS with cognitive training (rTMS-CT), revealing that the ratio of N-acetylaspartate/creatine (NAA/Cr) increased in the left DLPFC of AD patients. Furthermore, the choline (Cho)/Cr and myoinositol (mI)/Cr ratios remained unchanged in the rTMS-CT group compared to sham group (sham rTMS with CT). The study also proposed that rTMS-CT may improve cognitive function in patients with AD who are in a mild to moderate stage (134). On the other hand, low-frequency (1 Hz) rTMS applied over the left DLPFC of patients with AD has been found to facilitate no change in memory performance. However, when applied to the right DLPFC, low-frequency (1 Hz) rTMS improves recognition memory function (135). Additionally, 20 Hz rTMS on the lateral parietal cortex in patients with AD increases visual recognition memory (36). Furthermore, 1 Hz LF-rTMS could potentially rescue spatial learning and memory deficits accompanied by impaired LTP-plasticity in the hippocampal CA1 region in an APP23/PS45 double transgenic mouse model of AD (136). Future studies will also investigate the short- and long-term effects of rTMS on AD and cognitive functions (48). Furthermore, rTMS improves spatial working memory in mouse models of AD (32), visuospatial reasoning, and trained associative memory in patients with AD (137). Accordingly, these studies have concluded that rTMS could be beneficially and therapeutically effective for NIBS, behavioral recovery and cognitive rehabilitation, as well as a well-tolerated therapy for patients with AD. The cortical changes induced by rTMS can improve synapsis and neuronal plasticity (138). In addition, there are only limited experimental studies highlighting the neurobiological changes during cognitive rehabilitation by rTMS (134). We hypothesize that changes in metabolites or other molecular indices could serve as biomarkers following rTMS, allowing for further improvement of the accurate and precise functioning of neurons in AD. Therefore, future studies should focus on the levels of metabolites and NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr and mI/Cr ratios after TMS treatment to further explore the therapeutic effects of rTMS on cognitive rehabilitation in AD.

TMS modulates gene expression and miRNA expression profiles in AD

miRNAs are novel, short (~22 nucleotides), evolutionarily conserved, noncoding RNA molecules that are post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression, cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis (139,140). miRNAs serve an important role in regulating the translation and stability of mRNAs, are involved in pathological processes, and inhibit their translation by guiding RNA-induced silencing complex and complement binding or interacting with the 3′-untranslated region of mRNA (141,142). An increasing number of studies have demonstrated that approximately one-half of the miRNAs are in proximity to other miRNAs and regulate the activity of 60% of all protein-coding genes (140,143). A single miRNA regulates almost 400 different mRNAs (144). It has also been reported that miRNAs serve a pivotal role in synaptic formation, development function, plasticity and neuronal processes, such as neural proliferation, differentiation, maturation and migration (145–147). Studies have demonstrated that miRNAs contribute to the development of numerous diseases and neurodegenerative disorders, including AD (141,147). The changes in the levels of miRNAs could also serve as diagnostic biomarkers for AD (148,149). Different miRNAs have been found to be associated with the accumulation of Aβ peptides and tau phosphorylation (141,150), leading to the pathophysiology of AD. Furthermore, miRNAs also regulate oxidative stress and vice versa (142).

TMS might also have the ability to regulate miRNA expression in AD (Fig. 1). In line with this, future studies are required to clarify whether TMS regulates gene expression and miRNAs. However, a few studies have reported the effects of TMS on miRNAs. Liu et al (151) investigated the effects of rTMS on the proliferation of neural stem cells (NSCs) and their association with miRNAs expression in vivo. The 10 Hz rTMS treatment was associated with the upregulation of the miRNA-106b-25 cluster and miR-93, the downregulation of p21 protein and enhanced NSC proliferation (151). Liu et al (152) also investigated the effects of rTMS on the proliferation of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and the association with miR-106b expression when 10 Hz rTMS was applied to the NPCs cultured from a rat hippocampus. The results revealed that rTMS enhanced NPC proliferation by upregulating miR-106b expression by inhibiting p21 expression (152). Another study by Aydin-Abidin et al (153) examined the effects of low-frequency (1 Hz) rTMS, high-frequency (10 Hz) rTMS and intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) on the expression of immediate early gene (IEG) proteins c-Fos and zinc finger protein 268 (zif268) in the rat brain. It was observed that LF-rTMS and HF-rTMS increased c-Fos protein expression in the cortical areas. LF-rTMS did not regulate zif268 expression, but HF-rTMS increased zif268 expression in the primary motor and sensory cortices. Additionally, iTBS increased c-Fos expression in limbic cortices only and zif268 levels in all cortical areas (153). One study investigated the effects of a low-frequency pulsed EMF (LF-PEMF) on protein (BACE1) and miRNA expression involved in AD (70). It was revealed that 75 Hz LF-PEMF modulated the expression of miR-107, miR-335-5p and miR26b-5p in an experimental cell model of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with AD. miR-107 regulates β-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1), which serves a role in the amyloidogenic pathway of the APP pathway. An increasing LF-PEMF exposure time reduced miRNAs expression and BACE1 level (Table I) (70). Recently, Perez et al (154) reported that repeated EMF stimulation reduces Aβ40 and Aβ42 peptides in primary human brain cultures. In a similar vein, another study reported that low-frequency (1 Hz) rTMS progressively downregulated APP and its C-terminal fragments (CTFs) in the AD mouse brain. The decrease in β-secretase generated C99 and C89 fragments, and BACE1 could be observed following 1 Hz rTMS application in transgenic mice (136). Accordingly, it was also demonstrated that rTMS may suppress β-secretase cleavage of APP proteins, contributing toward the decrease in Aβ neuropathology, such as neuritic plaque formations, APP processing and BACE1 expression, which may contribute to the amelioration of cognitive functioning and synaptic plasticity (136). Therefore, TMS exerts anti-AD effects by targeting Aβ peptides, modulating gene expression in the AD brain and reducing AD-related neuropathology in patients with AD.

5. Potential side effects associated with TMS treatment

Although TMS exerts extensive therapeutic effects, various possible side effects have also been disclosed previously. Headache (or neck and scalp pain) is considered the common side effect, which might result in accidental seizures, hypomania or unwanted psychiatric complications (155). Transient headache is reported by 20–40% of the patients undergoing TMS (both low- and high-frequency), but seizures (>1%), hypomania and cognitive changes are very rare or negligible (156). TMS is also unlikely to cause structural changes, histotoxicity or tissue damage, although unintended long-term changes in the brain are theoretically possible (157). Additionally, the clicking sound of TMS and skin stimulation cause multi-sensory experiences and trigger shifts of spatial attention (158,159). The incorrect positioning of the coil may cause a placebo (160) or unwanted effect, affecting the behavioral, physiological and cognitive processes. However, the safety guidelines for TMS suggested by Wassermann (161) and Chen et al (162) recommend frequencies, current intensities and trains of stimuli to prevent side effects of the treatment. In addition, TMS parameters combined with short trains and long inter-train intervals carry a lower risk of side effects (163).

6. Discussion

Aging is the major risk factor behind the pathogenesis of cognitive decline, dementia and neurodegenerative disorders, including AD (14). Being a severe form of dementia, AD is a multifactorial, chronic and progressive disorder leading toward memory decline and cognitive dysfunctions (164). The clinicopathological features of AD brains include proteinopathy (amyloid plaques neurofibrillary tangles) (164,165). Despite tremendous advancements in the field of neurology and medical sciences, little is known regarding the mechanism behind this complex neurodegenerative disease. AD treatment is still a major challenge for researchers and physicians. Furthermore, there are no effective drugs or nondrug treatment options that can cure AD or stop or slow its progression. Neurons may be damaged or have already died due to neurodegenerative disorders, but TMS has the potential to treat and restore them due to its neuroprotective, neuro-regenerative and disease-modifying effects (32,36). Accordingly, TMS could offer a safe and noninvasive technique for the treatment of AD. However, the association between the molecular mechanisms responsible for the treatment of AD after TMS is still elusive. TMS therefore remains a topic of research, and much progress has been made to find its mechanism. Studies are continuously being conducted to elucidate the mechanisms and effects of TMS on the AD-affected brain. At present, a number of clinical trials are ongoing to further investigate the molecular mechanisms behind the disease-modifying effects of TMS on AD and other neurodegenerative disorders (www.clinicaltrials.gov; Table II).

Table II.

Ongoing clinical trial in AD patients' treatment with TMS.

Trial no. (www.clinicaltrials.gov)	Study type	Study Samples to be Enroll	Disease	Aim	Active group treatment protocol	Control group treatment
NCT03121066	Randomized Clinical Trial	45	AD	Impact on cognitive and emotional functioning, functionality, and brain connectivity	iTBS protocol: 1,200 pulses per session for 3.12 min	Sham TMS
NCT03224988	Prospective, observational, case-control study	60	Pre-clinical AD (aMCI or MCI-AD)	To establish the structural basis for bilateral brain interactions and the temporal dynamics of cross-hemispheric communication in in MCI-AD patients or healthy patients using unilateral or bilateral TMS.	Single-pulse TMS, dual-coil TMS and EEG	Single-pulse TMS, dual-coil TMS and EEG over healthy patients
NCT03846492	Double blinded Randomized Clinical Trial	90	AD + Agitation (mild to moderate agitation)	To assess the mechanisms and treatment of AD and cortical excitation/inhibition balance in the DPLFC in AD	tDCS: The direct current will be delivered at 2 mA for 30 min per day for 2 weeks, 5 days/week. Inhibitory stimulation will be delivered to the frontal lobes.	Sham tDCS on healthy comparators
NCT04260724	Interventional, Prospective, Randomized, Evaluator-blind, Single Center Study	32	Mild to Moderate AD patients	To assess the change of cognition, mood, ADL, brain structural and functional MRI following TMS	TMS: 1,600 pulses for 20 min per day, for 4 weeks (5 days per week)	Sham TMS (no stimulation)
NCT04294888	Randomized Clinical Trial	40	aMCI due to AD	To evaluate changes in functional network architecture following rTMS treatment	Excitatory iTBS pattern	Sham rTMS
NCT04555941	Randomized Clinical Trial	60	Mild cognitive impairment or early dementia due to Alzheimer's disease	To assess the cognitive functions	iTBS: 10 sessions, 80% Resting Motor Threshold, 2s stimulation 8s inter-stimulus interval per train, 20 trains per block, 3 blocks per session with a 5-min break, 1 session per day	Sham iTBS to the patients
NCT04823819	Randomized Clinical Trial	40	Mild to moderate AD	Effectiveness and safety of rTMS + tDCS on long and short term cognitive functions	rTMS stimulation: 20 sessions of stimulation with increasing intensity, reaching maximum in the 4th session over the left DLPFC	Sham rTMS & Sham tDCS
NCT04866979	Double blinded Randomized Clinical Trial	200	MCI & AD	To evaluate the clinical efficacy of TBS in conjunction with CT.	Combination of cTBS + CT; combination of iTBS + CT; cTBS; iTBS TBS delivery of 600 pulses divided into blocks of 3 pulses at 50 Hz, which are applied at 5 Hz (every 200 ms), with a stimulation intensity equal to 80% of the motor threshold value at rest	Cognitive training only (with placebo TBS)

AD, Alzheimer's disease; ADL, activity of daily life; aMCI, amnestic mild cognitive impairments; CT, cognitive training; cTBS, continuous theta burst stimulation; DPLFC, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex; EEG, Electroencephalography; Hz, Hertz; iTBS, Intermittent theta burst stimulation; rTMS, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation; TBS, theta burst stimulation; TMS, transcranial magnetic stimulation.

The present review highlights the effects of TMS on neurobiological and neurochemical changes in AD. At the molecular level, TMS facilitates neural restoration, synaptic plasticity, neurotransmission, neural regeneration, neural development, neuroprotection and cognitive rehabilitation, and regulates gene expression in AD. TMS positively regulates inflammatory and apoptotic mechanisms, mitochondrial enzymatic activities, modulation of gene expression (miRNA expression profiles), cell redox status and the amyloidogenic processes (Fig. 1). Following TMS, the expression of the following neurochemicals increases: BDNF, NeuN, Nestin, dopamine, DR4 (32), TrkB (81), total antioxidant status, total thiol, native thiol (36), NMDAR, NMDAR subunits (NR1, NR2A, and NR2B), NGF (82), Bcl-2, Tau (83), NAA/Cr (134), miRNA-106b-25, miR-93 (151,152) and IEG proteins (c-Fos and zif268) (153). Furthermore, TMS tends to decrease the levels of total oxidant status, oxidative stress index, oxidant enzyme activity, disulfide (36), Bax, cleaved caspase-3, p-Tau (83), miR-107, miR-335-5p, miR26b-5p (70), BACE1, APP, CTFs, β-secretase-generated C99 and C89, β-secretase cleavage of APP proteins, and Aβ peptides (136). In addition, the disease-modifying effects of TMS treatment depend on the frequency and site of stimulation (166–168). Neurobiological changes have been observed differentially with different stimulations (low or high frequency) (153) and stimulation sites (i.e., DLPFC, left parietal cortex, hippocampus and cortex) (32,36,133,136). Furthermore, TMS tends to improve cognitive functioning (134), cortical plasticity (49), naming performance (129), language function (132), recognition memory function (135), visual recognition memory (36), spatial working memory (32), visuospatial reasoning and trained associative memory (137) in patients with AD. Therefore, the anti-AD effects of TMS facilitate an increase in cortical excitability, induce potentiation, stimulate synaptic plasticity, recover impaired molecular functions, enhance cognitive functions and re-establish neural connections in patients with AD.

In addition, there are a limited number of research-based studies in the literature demonstrating TMS-induced neurochemical and neurobiological changes in AD. We suggest that future studies on the therapeutic effects of TMS on oxidative stress, Ca⁺ ions, non-neural/glial cells (oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, microglia and further NSCs), NTFs (NGF, BDNF, GDNF, CNTF and VEGF), nerve growth factors, neurotransmitters (dopamine, glutamate, aspartate, GABA and NMDA), apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2, Bax, caspases and TUNEL-positive cells), genetic expression, miRNA expression, protein expression, enzymatic activity and metabolites, are required to further explore the beneficial anti-AD mechanism of TMS in patients with AD. Knowledge of these changes may clarify the structural and functional changes in the brain, as well as neuroprotection, neurodevelopmental and neurorestorative correlation with rTMS in AD.

7. Conclusion

The main goal of the present review was to understand the changes in the neurobiological parameters in the brain following TMS in neurodegenerative disorders, particularly AD. Although the number of studies investigating TMS-induced neurochemical and neurobiological changes in AD is still low, the anti-AD and disease-modifying effects of TMS can open a pathway for researchers to further explore its molecular mechanism. As the neurobiological and clinicopathological alterations and modifications in AD are not well studied following TMS, more experimental studies comprising inflammatory, apoptotic, neurodegenerative, genetic and neuroprotective changes, as well as functional brain imaging, are required to determine the site- and stimulation-dependent TMS-induced disease-modifying changes in the brain. TMS-based NIBS has promising effects on functional recovery through neural restoration, neuroprotection and neural differentiation.

Funding Statement

Funding: No funding was received.

Availability of data and materials

Data sharing is not applicable to this article, as no data sets were generated or analyzed during the current study.

Authors' contributions

SB, MU, TA and MA were responsible for the conception of the present study. SB, MU and MA searched the literature. SB, MU, TA, RAK, AN, ZT, WKY, IT, ADT and SM contributed to writing the manuscript and figure design. TA, RAK, AN, ZT, WKY, IT, ADT and SM critically revised and corrected the manuscript. Data authentication is not applicable. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Not applicable.

Patient consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.