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Corticobasal degeneration: clinical characteristics and multidisciplinary therapeutic approach in 26 patients

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Abstract

Corticobasal syndrome (CBS) is a sporadic tauopathy that manifests by a various combination of motor and cognitive deficits, which makes its diagnosis challenging. Treatment of CBS is symptomatic and based on evidence from other similar disorders due to the lack of studies on CBS. The aim of the study was to investigate low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) as a therapeutic tool in CBS. Twenty-six patients with clinically evident CBS according to Cambridge criteria were followed for 12–18 months while receiving low-frequency rTMS combined with pharmacological, rehabilitation treatment and botulinum toxin injection. The majority of patients are manifested with akinetic-rigid syndrome and cognitive dysfunction. There was improvement of the UPDRS and quality of life after 3 months of therapeutic interventions (P < 0.001 and <0.05, respectively). No significant deterioration in cognitive functions was detected over the study period. There was a significant reduction of caregiver burden after 3 months of interventions (P < 0.01); this improvement was maintained up to 18 months. Cognitive dysfunction is a frequent manifestation of CBS. CBS patients can benefit from multidisciplinary therapeutic approach employing low-frequency rTMS.

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The authors declare that they have no any conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neurology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt

    Hatem S. Shehata, Nevin M. Shalaby, Eman H. Esmail & Ebtesam Fahmy

  2. Kasr Al Ainy Hospital, Manial, Cairo, Egypt

    Eman H. Esmail

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  1. Hatem S. Shehata
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  2. Nevin M. Shalaby
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  3. Eman H. Esmail
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  4. Ebtesam Fahmy
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Correspondence to Eman H. Esmail.

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Shehata, H.S., Shalaby, N.M., Esmail, E.H. et al. Corticobasal degeneration: clinical characteristics and multidisciplinary therapeutic approach in 26 patients. Neurol Sci 36, 1651–1657 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-015-2226-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-015-2226-x

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