Treating Alzheimer’s with Personalised Neuromodulation

Image credit: Robina Weermeijer via Unsplash

Findings recently published in Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy have pointed to the promising use of personalised neuromodulation therapeutics to treat Alzheimer’s disease.

Using MRI and fMRI neuroimaging analysis, researchers looked at structural and connectivity neural changes in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s following treatment using a precision therapy under development by US medtech, Sinaptica Therapeutics.

The technology, referred to as “nDMN”, specifically targets the Default Mode Network (DMN) – the main brain network affected by Alzheimer’s disease – and uses a non-invasive method known as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with electroencephalography (rTMS-EEG).

Results of the study showed significant slowing in the rate of grey matter damage within the precuneus, a key node of the DMN, and that the neuromodulation treatment was also able to preserve the precuneus’ microstructural integrity.

“Brain atrophy is a direct result of Alzheimer’s disease, and cognitive impairment directly correlates with both brain shrinkage and diminished connections in the DMN,” said study co-author, Dr Giacomo Koch in a statement.

“This is the first pilot study aimed at investigating the neurobiological alterations reflected in structural and functional changes after multiple sessions of personalized rTMS-EEG targeting the DMN via the precuneus in Alzheimer’s patients.

“The results provide novel evidence supporting the idea that nDMN may be able to slow down atrophy and increase functional network connections in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.”

Having received Breakthrough Device Designation from the US Food and Drug Administration, Sinaptica now has its sights set on a larger, multi-site Phase 3 clinical trial in mid-2025.

Check out the research via Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy for more information, or refer to this press release via Sinaptica Therapeutics.