RESUMO
Objective To investigate the effects of low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on motor function and excitability of motor cortex in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and to study the mechanism of PD from the electrophysiology. Methods Twenty-eight patients with PD received 1 Hz rTMS therapy for 15 d. Thirty normal volunteers were enrolled as controls. Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and motor evoked potential (MEP) were adopted as assessment indicators. The excitability of motor cortex was assessed by rest motor threshold (RMT), central motor conduction time (CMCT) and the amplitude of MEP. Results The initial RMTs and CMCTs of PD patients were significantly lower than those of the controls, but MEP amplitudes were not significantly different. After rTMS treatment, motor function of PD patients improved, RMTs increased and CMCTs prolonged. Conclusion In PD patients, motor function disorder and increased motor cortical excitability were observed. Low frequency rTMS may inhibit these changes to some extent.