Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Patients With Alzheimer's Disease

Prior treatment

• MRI/TMS contraindications (metallic implants);

Other illness

• History of seizures or epilepsy diagnosis;
• Stroke history;
• Nervous system diseases causing brain dysfunction (schizophrenia, severe anxiety/depression, dementia, Huntington's, brain tumors, Parkinson's, metabolic encephalopathy, encephalitis, MS, epilepsy, brain trauma, hydrocephalus);
• Severe liver/kidney/lung dysfunction, anemia, gastrointestinal disease, arrhythmia, recent MI;
• Systemic diseases causing cognitive impairment (hypothyroidism, folate/B12 deficiency, infections, alcohol/drug abuse);

Other

• Barbiturate/benzodiazepine use within 2 weeks;
• Aphasia, consciousness disturbance, inability to cooperate;
• TMS/tDCS/DBS has been processed;
• Underlying pathology other than AD;
• Focal brain lesions on T1/T2 images;
• Refusal to sign informed consent.

• Participant meets 2014 IWG-2 criteria for hippocampal amnestic syndrome, typical of AD, with progressive episodic memory impairment confirmed by neuropsychology. Cerebrospinal fluid markers (Aβ40, Aβ42, T-tau, p-tau) consistent with AD, or AV-45 PET imaging showing significant cortical tracer retention, in line with AD pathophysiology.
• Age range: 55-80 years.
• No visual or hearing impairment.
• Right-handed.
• Han nationality.
• Signed informed consent.
• Reliable caregivers as information providers.
• MMSE score: 10-27; CDR: 0.5-2 points.
• If receiving approved AD treatment (e.g., acetylcholinesterase inhibitor or memantine), dose must be stable for ≥3 months prior to screening and unchanged unless medically necessary.