Treatment of post stroke cognitive impairment by rTMS

Abstract Repetitive transcranial of magnetic stimulation (rTMS), as a new electrophysiological technique, has been used in treating neurological and psychiatric diseases in clinical. In recent years, rTMS has also been employed to explore the treatment options for post stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI). Studies showed that rTMS was beneficial to recovery of post-stroke aphasia, improvement of memory dysfunction and alleviation of hemispatial neglect. Moreover, it is safe for patient within the recommended parameters of safety guidance. rTMS exerts therapeutic effects by interfering with the reconstruction of cortical network, improving the cerebral blood flow and metabolism, adjusting the ion balance by modulating cortical excitability. In addition, rTMS could enhance synaptic plasticity, inhibit the apoptosis, and regulate the transmission of a variety of neurotransmitters. It was reviewed that the basic principles of rTMS, the efficacy, safety and mechanism of rTMS in the treatment of PSCI, as well as the current problems and prospects in this paper.