Aquaporin-4 antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (AQP4-NMOSD) is an autoimmune disease characterized by suboptimal recovery from attacks and long-term disability. Experimental data suggest that AQP4 antibodies can disrupt neuroplasticity, a fundamental driver of brain recovery. A well-established method to assess brain LTP is through intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS). This study aimed to explore neuroplasticity in AQP4-NMOSD patients by examining long-term potentiation (LTP) through iTBS. We conducted a proof-of-principle study including 8 patients with AQP4-NMOSD, 8 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), and 8 healthy controls (HC) in which iTBS was administered to induce LTP-like effects. iTBS-induced LTP exhibited significant differences among the 3 groups (p: 0.006). Notably, AQP4-NMOSD patients demonstrated impaired plasticity compared to both HC (p = 0.01) and pwMS (p = 0.02). This pilot study provides the first in vivo evidence supporting impaired neuroplasticity in AQP4-NMOSD patients. Impaired cortical plasticity may hinder recovery following attacks suggesting a need for targeted rehabilitation strategies.
Cortical plasticity in AQP4-positive NMOSD: a transcranial magnetic stimulation study / Cruciani, A.; Capone, F.; Haggiag, S.; Prosperini, L.; Santoro, F.; Ruggieri, S.; Motolese, F.; Pilato, F.; Musumeci, G.; Pozzilli, V.; Rossi, M.; Bassi, M. S.; Buttari, F.; Centonze, D.; Lazzaro, V. D.; Gasperini, C.; Tortorella, C.. - In: CEREBRAL CORTEX. - ISSN 1047-3211. - 34:8(2024). [10.1093/cercor/bhae345]
Cortical plasticity in AQP4-positive NMOSD: a transcranial magnetic stimulation study
Haggiag S.;Prosperini L.;Pilato F.;Musumeci G.;Pozzilli V.;
2024
Abstract
Aquaporin-4 antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (AQP4-NMOSD) is an autoimmune disease characterized by suboptimal recovery from attacks and long-term disability. Experimental data suggest that AQP4 antibodies can disrupt neuroplasticity, a fundamental driver of brain recovery. A well-established method to assess brain LTP is through intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS). This study aimed to explore neuroplasticity in AQP4-NMOSD patients by examining long-term potentiation (LTP) through iTBS. We conducted a proof-of-principle study including 8 patients with AQP4-NMOSD, 8 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), and 8 healthy controls (HC) in which iTBS was administered to induce LTP-like effects. iTBS-induced LTP exhibited significant differences among the 3 groups (p: 0.006). Notably, AQP4-NMOSD patients demonstrated impaired plasticity compared to both HC (p = 0.01) and pwMS (p = 0.02). This pilot study provides the first in vivo evidence supporting impaired neuroplasticity in AQP4-NMOSD patients. Impaired cortical plasticity may hinder recovery following attacks suggesting a need for targeted rehabilitation strategies.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
