Alzheimer Disease: van Someren E

Scherder E, Knol D, van Tol MJ, van Someren E, Deijen JB, Swaab D, Scheltens P. · Institute of Human Movement Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. · Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. · Pubmed #16912480 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: In a previous study, low-frequency (0.5 Hz) cranial electrostimulation (CES) neither improved the rest-activity rhythm nor reduced the level of salivary cortisol in patients with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD). To investigate whether the frequency of CES was responsible for these negative findings, we set out to examine the effects of high-frequency CES on the rest-activity rhythm and salivary cortisol of patients with probable AD. We hypothesized that a decreased level of cortisol would parallel a positive effect of high-frequency CES on nocturnal restlessness in AD patients. METHODS: Twenty AD patients were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 10) and a control group (n = 10). The experimental group was treated with high-frequency CES, the control group received sham stimulation, for 30 min a day, during 6 weeks. The rest-activity rhythm was assessed by actigraphy. Level of cortisol was measured by means of salivette tubes. RESULTS: The rest-activity rhythm and the level of salivary cortisol did not react positively to high-frequency CES. In contrast, both groups showed an increase in the level of cortisol after the 6-week treatment period. CONCLUSIONS: High-frequency CES appeared to be ineffective in AD patients.

Scherder E, Knol D, van Someren E, Deijen JB, Binnekade R, Tilders F, Sergeant J. · Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, Vrije Universiteit, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands. · Neurorehabil Neural Repair. · Pubmed #12814055 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: In previous studies, cranial electrostimulation (CES) had positive effects on sleep in depressed patients and in patients with vascular dementia. The present study examined the effects of low-frequency CES on the rest-activity rhythm and cortisol levels of patients with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHOD: It was hypothesised that a decreased level of cortisol would parallel a positive effect of low-frequency CES on nocturnal restlessness. Sixteen AD patients were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 8) or a control group (n = 8). The experimental group was treated with CES, whereas the control group received sham stimulation, for 30 minutes a day, during 6 weeks. The rest-activity rhythm was assessed by actigraphy. Cortisol was measured repeatedly in the saliva throughout the day by means of salivette tubes. RESULTS: Low-frequency CES did not improve the rest-activity rhythm in AD patients. Moreover, both groups showed an increase instead of a decrease in the level of cortisol. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results suggest that low-frequency CES has no positive effect on the rest-activity rhythm in AD patients. An alternative research design with high-frequency CES in AD is discussed.