Research with rTMS in the treatment of aphasia

Restor Neurol Neurosci. 2010;28(4):511-29. doi: 10.3233/RNN-2010-0559.

Abstract

This review of our research with rTMS to treat aphasia contains four parts: Part 1 reviews functional brain imaging studies related to recovery of language in aphasia with emphasis on nonfluent aphasia. Part 2 presents the rationale for using rTMS to treat nonfluent aphasia patients (based on results from functional imaging studies). Part 2 also reviews our current rTMS treatment protocol used with nonfluent aphasia patients, and our functional imaging results from overt naming fMRI scans, obtained pre- and post- a series of rTMS treatments. Part 3 presents results from a pilot study where rTMS treatments were followed immediately by constraint-induced language therapy (CILT). Part 4 reviews our diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) study that examined white matter connections between the horizontal, midportion of the arcuate fasciculus (hAF) to different parts within Broca's area (pars triangularis, PTr; pars opercularis, POp), and the ventral premotor cortex (vPMC) in the RH and in the LH. Part 4 also addresses some of the possible mechanisms involved with improved naming and speech, following rTMS with nonfluent aphasia patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aphasia / pathology
  • Aphasia / psychology
  • Aphasia / therapy*
  • Aphasia, Broca / psychology
  • Aphasia, Broca / therapy
  • Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Functional Laterality / physiology
  • Humans
  • Language
  • Language Therapy
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Nerve Net / pathology
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation*
  • Treatment Outcome