SOURCE: European Stroke Journal. Conference: 8th European Stroke Organisation Conference. Lyon France. 7(1 SUPPL) (pp 492), 2022.
DATE OF PUBLICATION: May 2022.
AUTHORS: De Michele M.; Piscopo P.; Crestini A.; Rivabene R.; Petraglia L.; Costanzo M.; Lorenzano S.; Berto I.; Schiavo O.G.; Belvisi D.; Berardelli A.; Toni D.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Ischemic stroke (IS) represents a trigger for proliferation, migration towards the ischemic lesion, and differentiation of neuroprogenitor cells into mature neurons. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive technique inducing brain plasticity. Biomarkers such as miRNAs 17~92, Netrin-1 and Semaphorin3A play a role in neuroplasticity. We aimed to investigate the effect of rTMS on post-stroke neurogenesis by dosing serum miRs17~92, Netrin-1 and Sema3A.
METHOD(S): We enrolled 20 IS patients within three days from symptoms onset (T0). Patients were randomized to rTMS or control (sham). rTMS was applied on stroke hemisphere daily between the 7th and 14th day from stroke onset. Blood samples for biomarker measurements were collected on T0, before starting the first rTMS section (T1), and at the end of the last one (T2). Five healthy controls (HC) were also enrolled in this study.
RESULT(S): Of 20 patients included, 10 (50%female, mean age70.9+/-13.7y) were randomized to rTMS and 9 (55.6%female, mean age63.4+/-15.4y) to sham stimulation. Among HCs three (60%) were females (mean age52.4+/-23.9y). No differences were found in terms of infarct volume (p=0.624) and reperfusion treatments (p>0.05 for all) between the two groups. Compared with the sham group, levels of miRs17~92 (miR25:DELTAT14-T0 p<0.026; miR106b: DELTAT14-T7 p<0.004) and Netrin-1 (DELTAT14-T0/DELTAT14-T7 p<0.001) significantly increased in the rTMS group whereas Sema3A levels tended to decrease.
CONCLUSION(S): rTMS is a promising methodology for enhancing poststroke neurogenesis. Our preliminary data suggest the possibility of interfering with regular plasticity phenomena of brain ischemic areas in humans by using non-invasive brain stimulation.
