Indications
Non-invasive neurostimulation procedures are being investigated and used for a number of neurological and psychiatric conditions. Below you will find an overview of the indications we treat at our Berlin practice.
Alzheimer's Dementia
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and progressively leads to memory impairment, loss of orientation and limitations in daily life. It primarily affects short-term memory and cognitive functions such as language, planning and spatial thinking.
Background
At the cellular level, deposits of beta-amyloid plaques and tau fibrils occur, which are associated with progressive loss of synapses and nerve cells. The hippocampus and temporo-parietal cortex areas are particularly affected.
Accompanying symptoms such as depressive symptoms, apathy and sleep disorders frequently occur. Established medication therapy can so far only limitedly influence the course of the disease - this is where non-invasive neurostimulation procedures come in.
Prevalence
In Germany, around 1.8 million people live with a dementia condition, approximately two thirds of them with Alzheimer's. With rising life expectancy, the number is expected to continue increasing in the coming decades.
Neurostimulation for Alzheimer's Dementia
Transcranial Pulse Stimulation (TPS) has been CE-approved in the EU for the treatment of Alzheimer's dementia since 2018. Clinical studies show improvements in standardised cognition tests (CERAD, ADAS-Cog) as well as a reduction in accompanying depressive symptoms. The effects vary individually.
In our practice we treat with:
Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that typically involves movement disorders such as tremor, muscle rigidity and slowed movements (bradykinesia). Non-motor symptoms such as sleep disorders, depression and cognitive decline also occur.
Background
The cause is a progressive loss of dopamine-producing nerve cells in the substantia nigra. The resulting dopamine deficiency disrupts signal processing in the basal ganglia and leads to the typical movement symptoms.
Medication therapy - usually with L-Dopa - can alleviate symptoms but loses effectiveness over time and is associated with side effects. Neurostimulation is increasingly being investigated as a complementary therapeutic approach.
Prevalence
In Germany, approximately 400,000 people have Parkinson's disease. The average age of onset is between 50 and 60 years, and men are slightly more frequently affected than women.
Neurostimulation for Parkinson's Disease
First controlled and retrospective studies on TPS for Parkinson's show improvements in motor scores (UPDRS) as well as for tremor, cognition and quality of life. Treatment takes place as an individual therapeutic attempt outside CE approval. The evidence base is continuously growing.
In our practice we treat with:
Depression
Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions. It manifests as persistent low mood, lack of drive, loss of interest and enjoyment, sleep and appetite disorders, and a significant reduction in quality of life.
Background
Neurobiologically, depression is associated with an imbalance of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline, as well as altered activity in prefrontal and limbic brain regions. Reduced neuroplasticity also plays a role.
Approximately one third of patients respond insufficiently to standard medication and psychotherapy treatments. In these cases, neurostimulation procedures can represent a complementary option.
Prevalence
Around 8.2 million people in Germany are affected by a depressive condition within a year. The lifetime prevalence is approximately 16-20 percent. Women are affected about twice as frequently as men.
Neurostimulation for Depression
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is an established procedure for treatment-resistant depression and is recommended in clinical guidelines. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) also shows antidepressant effects in studies. Application is outpatient, medication-free and with a good tolerability profile.
Contact
Lehmbruckstraße 3, 10245 Berlin · kontakt@neurostimulation-berlin.de