- A new study, involving 20 participants with MS, has shown promise in using rTMS as a new therapy.
- Early results showed no significant changes in brain scans, symptoms, or cognitive and motor abilities, but indicated that rTMS was safe with high compliance and acceptance among people with MS.
- The researchers reported that rTMS can be administered successfully and safely, marking an important step in advances in MS treatments.
New MS therapy using rTMS:
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate oligodendrocytes; a type of cell in the brain. In laboratory models, this procedure has shown promise in increasing the number of new oligodendrocytes that can repair the nerve damage observed in MS.
A recent study, published in the Multiple Sclerosis Journal (Experimental, Translational, and Clinical), aimed to determine if rTMS is safe and well-tolerated for people with MS. It also looked at how feasible the treatment is, how well participants could be kept unaware of whether they were receiving real or sham (pretend) treatment, and whether there were any changes in brain scans (MRI), self-reported symptoms, and cognitive or motor abilities.
What Did the Researchers Do?
Researchers funded by MS Australia conducted a small trial with 20 participants with MS. The participants were randomly assigned to receive either real rTMS (13 people) or a sham version of the treatment (7 people). Over 4-5 weeks, each participant underwent 20 sessions of rTMS, with each session involving 600 magnetic pulses to each side of the brain. The primary goal of the study was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of rTMS, with clinical outcomes being a secondary focus.
What Did the Researchers Find?
Around 85% of participants completed the sessions as planned, indicating good compliance. The researchers successfully kept participants unaware of whether they were receiving the real or sham treatment. No significant changes were observed in MRI brain scans, self-reported symptoms, or cognitive and motor abilities during the study period. The study found that five participants experienced adverse events, including one serious event, but none of these were related to the rTMS treatment.
What Does This Mean for People with MS?
The findings suggest that rTMS is a safe and well-tolerated treatment option for people with MS. Although this study did not show improvements in brain scans, symptoms, or cognitive and motor abilities, it did demonstrate that rTMS can be administered successfully and safely. The high compliance also indicated that this procedure is feasible for people with MS to adhere to. This study marks an important first step in exploring new treatment options for MS.
As the research continues, we hope to see more definitive evidence on the effectiveness of rTMS in promoting brain repair and improving symptoms for people living with MS.
