Article

The application of low frequency (1 Hz) Repetitive Transcranial
Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) to right hemisphere (RH) language homologues in
non-fluent aphasic populations has yielded improvements in behavioural language
function, up to 43 months post stimulation. Functional imaging studies have
demonstrated RH language homologue "overactivation" post left inferior frontal
gyrus (IFG) damage, in chronic non-fluent aphasia. The effects of low frequency
(inhibitory) rTMS are postulated to be as a result of a reduction of
overactivation in RH language homologues, facilitating the reorganisation of
neural language networks. METHODS: Low frequency (1 Hz) rTMS was applied to the
anterior portion of a Broca's area homologue (pars triangularis), for 20 minutes
per day for 10 days, using a stereotactic neuronavigational system. Twelve
non-fluent aphasic patients (six real stimulation and six sham), 2-10 years post
stroke were stimulated. Behavioural language outcome measures were taken at
baseline and 1 week post rTMS. RESULTS: Comparisons between the real stimulation
and sham conditions indicated significant main effects between the stimulation
and sham groups to 1 week post stimulation for naming accuracy, latency and repetition. CONCLUSIONS:
This study indicates that rTMS has the capacity to
modulate neural language networks, to facilitate improvements in behavioural language function, 1 week post TMS.

Langue : ANGLAIS