A Stanford-led study published in Nature Neuroscience found that 20 sessions of theta burst transcranial magnetic stimulation improved working memory performance in healthy older adults aged 65-85. Improvements averaged roughly 0.5 standard deviations on standardized memory tasks and persisted at one-month follow-up.
The 158-participant study was sham-controlled and double-blind. Participants were not selected for cognitive complaints; the goal was to assess whether TMS could enhance cognition in normal aging. Improvements were largest in participants whose baseline performance was lowest, suggesting an effect that may translate to populations with mild cognitive impairment.
The authors are explicit that the findings do not support TMS as a treatment for dementia or as a "cognitive enhancement" intervention for healthy adults outside research settings. A follow-up trial in patients with mild cognitive impairment is being planned.
The study contributes to a growing literature on cognitive applications of TMS, paralleling the FDA breakthrough device designation issued for an Alzheimer's protocol earlier this year. Coverage and clinical applications remain limited to research settings for now.
Source
Reporting based on coverage from Nature Neuroscience. This article is editorial summary intended for general information; it is not medical advice.