Influence of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Ataxia Severity and Biochemical Parameters in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients with Spinocerebellar Degeneration

Abstract

Ataxia severity, cerebellar hemispheric blood flow, and ascorbate free radical, superoxide dismutase protein, superoxide scavenging activity, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, noradrenaline, dopamine, homovanillic acid, and 5-hydroxyindol acetic acid in cerebrospinal fluid were compared before and after an 8-week course of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in 10 patients with spinocerebellar degenerations (SCD). SCD patients showed higher ascorbate free radical, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, and superoxide scavenging activity than
19 controls. In SCD patients, ascorbate free radical and ataxia severity declined, and noradrenaline and dopamine increased after rTMS. But in the one SCD patient who showed deterioration of ataxia severity after rTMS, ascorbate free radical increased and noradrenaline and dopamine decreased. Therefore, the therapeutic mechanism of rTMS may involve decreased oxidative stress and increased catecholamine levels.