Brain Stimulation Reverses Synaptic Damage in Alzheimer’s - Neuroscience News

Low-intensity repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can restore key synapses in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease.

The study found that axonal boutons—sites where neurons form connections—had reduced turnover in Alzheimer's mice, indicating impaired brain plasticity.

After a single rTMS session, the turnover of one bouton type significantly increased, matching levels seen in healthy mice.

This is the first study to provide evidence of pre-synaptic boutons responding to rTMS in a healthy nervous system as well as a nervous system marked by the presence of dementia.

The findings pave the way for targeted treatments that could improve the quality of life of patients with Alzheimer’s disease.