Preliminary Analysis of rTMS-iTBS effects on Resting-State Functional Connectivity in Mild Cognitive Impairment: Targeting DLPFC vs. LPC

Motivation: Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) or left lateral parietal cortex (LPC) is a potential non-invasive treatment for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, studies directly comparing the efficacy of these targets are limited. Goal(s): To investigate how different iTBS targets impact resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) within the default mode network (DMN) in MCI subjects. Approach: Multi-echo RSFC was assessed before and after a 10-day iTBS treatment targeting either the DLPFC, LPC, or vertex (sham), using ROI- and seed-based analyses of DMN-RSFC. Results: iTBS targeting the DLPFC and LPC induced distinct changes in DMN-RSFC. Impact: Understanding the target-dependent effects of iTBS may help personalize treatment strategies for mild cognitive impairment, potentially leading to optimized cognitive outcomes for patients with neurodegenerative conditions.