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Review
. 2020 Mar 12;21(6):1948.
doi: 10.3390/ijms21061948.

Non-Invasive Cerebellar Stimulation in Neurodegenerative Ataxia: A Literature Review

Alberto Benussi  1 , Alvaro Pascual-Leone  2   3 , Barbara Borroni  1
Affiliations
Review

Non-Invasive Cerebellar Stimulation in Neurodegenerative Ataxia: A Literature Review

Alberto Benussi et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Cerebellar ataxias are a heterogenous group of degenerative disorders for which we currently lack effective and disease-modifying interventions. The field of non-invasive brain stimulation has made much progress in the development of specific stimulation protocols to modulate cerebellar excitability and try to restore the physiological activity of the cerebellum in patients with ataxia. In light of limited evidence-based pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment options for patients with ataxia, several different non-invasive brain stimulation protocols have emerged, particularly employing repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) or transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) techniques. In this review, we summarize the most relevant rTMS and tDCS therapeutic trials and discuss their implications in the care of patients with degenerative ataxias.

Keywords: cerebellar ataxia; neurodegenerative ataxia; non-invasive brain stimulation; therapy; transcranial direct current stimulation; transcranial magnetic stimulation.

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Conflict of interest statement

B.B. and A.B. declare no conflict of interest. A.P.-L. serves on the scientific advisory boards for Neuroelectrics, Magstim Inc., Constant Therapy, Nexstim, and Cognito, and is listed as an inventor on several issued and pending patents on real-time integration of transcranial magnetic stimulation with electroencephalography and magnetic resonance imaging.

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