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Ultrasound Neuromodulation With Transcranial Pulse Stimulation in Alzheimer Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Matt E, Mitterwallner M, Radjenovic S, Grigoryeva D, Weber A, Stögmann E, Domitner A, Zettl A et al.. JAMA network open, 2025-02-03
Topic: Amyloid, tau and blood-test diagnosis
Results For the intention-to-treat analysis, 60 patients between ages 51 and 82 years (mean [SD], 70.65 [8.16] years; 30 females; 30 males) were included. Primary data analysis of the condition × session interaction was not significant (P = .68; partial η2 [ηp2] = 0.01), but its interaction with age was P = .003; ηp2 = 0.08, followed by post hoc analyses of age subsamples. Although several patients older than 70 years benefited from verum TPS, only the younger subgroup (≤70 years) showed significantly higher CTS increases for verum in all poststimulation sessions (condition × session: P = .005; ηp2 = 0.16). Memory-associated brain activation was significantly higher after verum TPS in the precuneus, visual, and frontal areas, while resting state functional connectivity was significantly upregulated in the dorsal attention network. In the per protocol sample, a significant reduction of the Beck Depression Inventory-II scores 3 months following verum TPS was found (verum baseline: 7.27 [5.87]; verum 3 months after stimulation: 5.27 [5.27]; sham baseline: 6.70 [5.65]; sham 3 months after stimulation: 6.22 [4.40]; P = .008; ηp2 = 0.23). These findings suggest TPS may be a safe and promising add-on therapy for patients with AD receiving state-of-the-art treatment.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Matt, E., Mitterwallner, M., Radjenovic, S., Grigoryeva, D., Weber, A., Stögmann, E., et al. (2025). Ultrasound Neuromodulation With Transcranial Pulse Stimulation in Alzheimer Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA network open. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.59170
Vancouver
Matt E, Mitterwallner M, Radjenovic S, Grigoryeva D, Weber A, Stögmann E, et al. Ultrasound Neuromodulation With Transcranial Pulse Stimulation in Alzheimer Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA network open. 2025. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.59170. PMID: 40009384.
BibTeX
@article{matt2025-40009384,
author = {Matt, E. and Mitterwallner, M. and Radjenovic, S. and Grigoryeva, D. and Weber, A. and Stögmann, E. and Domitner, A. and Zettl, A. and others},
title = {{Ultrasound Neuromodulation With Transcranial Pulse Stimulation in Alzheimer Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial}},
journal = {JAMA network open},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.59170},
pmid = {40009384},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.59170}
}
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Key findings
- Results For the intention-to-treat analysis, 60 patients between ages 51 and 82 years (mean [SD], 70.65 [8.16] years; 30 females; 30 males) were included.
- Primary data analysis of the condition × session interaction was not significant (P = .68; partial η2 [ηp2] = 0.01), but its interaction with age was P = .003; ηp2 = 0.08, followed by post hoc analyses of age subsamples.
- Although several patients older than 70 years benefited from verum TPS, only the younger subgroup (≤70 years) showed significantly higher CTS increases for verum in all poststimulation sessions (condition × session: P = .005; ηp2 = 0.16).
- Memory-associated brain activation was significantly higher after verum TPS in the precuneus, visual, and frontal areas, while resting state functional connectivity was significantly upregulated in the dorsal attention network.
- In the per protocol sample, a significant reduction of the Beck Depression Inventory-II scores 3 months following verum TPS was found (verum baseline: 7.27 [5.87]; verum 3 months after stimulation: 5.27 [5.27]; sham baseline: 6.70 [5.65]; sham 3 months after stimulation: 6.22 [4.40]; P = .008; ηp2 = 0.23).
Why it matters
In this trial of 60 patients, the main analysis found no significant overall effect of transcranial pulse stimulation, but a significant interaction with age meant only the subgroup aged 70 or younger showed significantly higher cognitive scores after the real treatment. The authors suggest this technique may be a safe and promising add-on therapy for people already receiving standard Alzheimer treatment.
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Study details
- Participants30
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 66/100
Published in a leading specialty journal, and it is a randomised controlled trial. Scored zero for effect reported because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 9 / 10 | Tier 2 — leading specialty journal (JAMA network open) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | JAMA Network Open: journal h-index 235 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 11 / 12 | A randomised controlled trial (from PubMed type “Randomized Controlled Trial”) |
| Strength of evidence | 5 / 5 | Rated “high” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 1 / 4 | 30 participants |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomised / blinded | 1 / 2 | Randomised (as stated in the record) |
| Times cited | 4 / 7 | Cited 40 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 3 / 5 | 13.3 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 4 / 6 | Cited 12.2× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 40 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Roland Beisteiner: h-index 33 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | Medical University of Vienna: institution h-index 818 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 1 institution(s) in 1 country — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 40009384) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 66 / 100 | — |
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Read the original
- DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.59170
- PubMed: 40009384
- Original source →
- Free full text: JAMA Network Open →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
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