TMS Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease

What Causes Alzheimer’s?

The exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease is not fully understood, but several factors are believed to contribute, including:

• Amyloid Plaques: Buildup of beta-amyloid protein interferes with neuron-to-neuron communication.
• Tau Tangles: Abnormal tau proteins form twisted fibers inside brain cells, disrupting function.
• Vascular Factors: Reduced blood flow to the brain may affect disease progression.
• Genetics: Several genes, particularly APOE-e4 variants, significantly increase Alzheimer’s risk and influence how the disease progresses through its stages.
• Inflammation: Chronic neuroinflammation may contribute to brain cell damage.

Alzheimer’s Disease Symptoms

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s vary depending on the stage of the disease. Common signs include:

• Memory loss that disrupts daily life.
• Difficulty completing familiar tasks.
• Temporal and spatial disorientation is a key symptom of Alzheimer’s disease, in which patients become confused about dates, seasons, or their location.
• Trouble with language or finding the right words.
• Impaired judgment and decision-making abilities often lead to financial problems or unsafe choices in early to middle Alzheimer’s stages.
• Mood and personality changes.
• Withdrawal from work or social activities.

As the disease progresses, individuals may lose the ability to communicate, recognize loved ones, or care for themselves.

A Look at Alzheimer’s Stages

Alzheimer’s progresses through several stages:

• Preclinical Alzheimer’s: No symptoms yet, but brain changes occur.
• Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI): Minor memory or thinking problems that do not yet interfere with daily life.
• Mild Alzheimer’s: Noticeable memory lapses, confusion, and mood changes.
• Moderate Alzheimer’s: Increased confusion, wandering, personality shifts, and need for assistance.
• Severe Alzheimer’s: Loss of physical function, communication abilities, and full-time care requirements.

How Is Alzheimer’s Diagnosed?

An Alzheimer’s diagnosis involves multiple steps, which often include:

• Medical History and Neurological Exam: Evaluating memory, problem-solving, and other cognitive skills.
• Neuroimaging: MRI or CT scans help eliminate other causes and track brain changes.
• Biomarkers and Labs: Cerebrospinal fluid analysis and blood tests may detect amyloid or tau levels.
• Cognitive Testing: Assessing memory, attention, and language abilities over time.

Early diagnosis allows for more effective symptom management and planning.

How Alzheimer’s Impacts the Brain

Alzheimer’s primarily affects the brain’s default mode network (DMN), the areas responsible for memory, self-awareness, and future planning. 

Neurodegeneration in this network leads to:

• Reduced brain connectivity and communication.
• Shrinking of the hippocampus and cortex.
• Inflammation and immune system dysregulation.
• Compromise of the blood-brain barrier integrity, which typically protects the brain but deteriorates during Alzheimer’s progression, allowing harmful substances to reach neural tissue.

At Neurotherapeutix, we focus on identifying these specific impairments using advanced functional brain mapping to guide treatment.

TMS Alzheimer Treatment with fMRI Guidance

Our fMRI-guided TMS therapy offers a new approach to Alzheimer’s care by precisely targeting areas of the brain with weakened connectivity.

This personalized, non-invasive medical service helps restore function by stimulating the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new connections (neuroplasticity).

Key benefits of our approach include:

• Resting-State fMRI Mapping: Allows real-time visualization of the DMN and other affected networks.
• Precise Targeting: Each TMS protocol is custom-designed based on your brain’s unique activity patterns.
• Non-Pharmacological: Ideal for patients with limited tolerance for Alzheimer’s medications.
• Early Intervention Capabilities: Can be used in preclinical or mild stages to preserve function longer.
• Progress Monitoring: Quantitative tracking of connectivity changes throughout treatment.

This methodology improves standard TMS by eliminating the one-size-fits-all model and enabling a data-driven, patient-specific approach.

Why Early Intervention Matters

Alzheimer’s disease begins affecting the brain long before symptoms become apparent.

In fact, structural and functional changes can be detected years before a formal diagnosis. Early intervention is critical for preserving independence, delaying cognitive decline, and improving treatment outcomes.

At Neurotherapeutix, our advanced fMRI-guided approach allows us to:

• Identify subtle changes in brain connectivity.
• Target specific regions before severe damage occurs.
• Support memory, attention, and executive function in early stages.
• Personalize therapy to the brain’s evolving needs.

Intervening during the preclinical or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) stages may significantly slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

While traditional treatments often begin after daily function is already impaired, our technology helps patients take action sooner, when it may make the most significant impact.

If you or a loved one is experiencing early signs of cognitive decline, such as forgetfulness, difficulty focusing, or disorientation, an evaluation at Neurotherapeutix could provide essential insight and support.

Advanced Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment in New York City

Neurotherapeutix is at the forefront of Alzheimer’s treatment in NYC.

Our use of fMRI-guided TMS therapy offers a powerful, non-invasive solution for individuals seeking alternatives beyond traditional medication.

If you or a loved one shows signs of cognitive decline, our personalized therapies may help improve brain function, slow progression, and enhance quality of life.

Please request an appointment or contact us to learn more now.