Non-invasive brain stimulation applications in early-stage Alzheimer’s Disease: A focus on brain imaging and clinical feasibility

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative brain disorder that causes dementia, and despite all clinical research it is currently still incurable. Reducing disease progress at its early- stage detection may significantly impact cognitive functioning and may prolong quality-of-life. Non- invasive brain stimulation methods (NIBS), such as (accelerated) repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), and (home-based) transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) could be an early treatment option slowing down the course of the illness, and avoiding daily follow up visits and displacements to the hospital, improving compliance and effectiveness. Because of the neuronal loss in AD, especially in the prefrontal areas, such as the Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC), and because the neuronal loss in the locus coeruleus (LC), which is regarded as one of the earliest indicators of neurodegeneration, this project will focus on the ACC structure, on the noradrenergic system (LC), and on cognitive processing (memory) as potential biomarkers for NIBS treatment response and outcome prediction in early-stage AD.