This study is grounded in the regulatory mechanisms of the glymphatic system and applies repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The clinical efficacy and safety of rTMS will be systematically evaluated. Furthermore, transcranial magnetic stimulation-evoked potentials (TMS-EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) will be employed to investigate, from the perspectives of synaptic plasticity and neurovascular coupling, the mechanisms by which rTMS influences glymphatic function. Collectively, this work aims to provide new insights into both the therapeutic effectiveness and the underlying mechanisms of rTMS in AD.
Meets the 2018 NIA-AA diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer's disease (AD)
Meets DSM-5 diagnostic criteria
Mild to moderate disease severity (CDR Global Score 1 to 2)
Evidence of AD pathology: positive amyloid PET OR positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AD biomarkers OR positive plasma AD biomarkers
Contraindications to rTMS treatment
Severe complications or immune diseases
Unable to cooperate with study procedures
History of epilepsy