The project team will categorize stroke patients into three groups receiving iTBS stimulation targeting distinct brain regions: the cerebellum, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and the primary motor cortex (M1), with 20 patients allocated to each group. Neurofunctional scores, anxiety and depression assessments, and transcranial magnetic stimulation evoked potentials (TEP) will be assessed pre- and post-treatment within each group. The relationship between anxiety and depression scores and brain network characteristics associated with emotions will be examined to investigate the impact of iTBS stimulation on post-stroke negative emotions. Furthermore, plasma and saliva samples will be collected from stroke patients in each group post iTBS intervention. ELISA will quantify ACTH levels in plasma and cortisol levels in both plasma and saliva, with the aim of exploring the effects of iTBS stimulation on the HPA axis across different brain regions.
Initial stroke onset <6 months, or the last stroke event occurred more than 6 months ago;
Age ≥18 years, <85 years (the likelihood of VCI increases beyond 85 years);
Patients with lesions in the middle cerebral artery region;
NIHSS >4, NIHSS <26;
History of epilepsy or psychiatric disorders (including depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia);
Severe comorbidities;
History of medication use: benzodiazepines, baclofen, or antidepressants;
Non-compliance with the protocol;