• Fabio Marson, Stefano Lasaponara, and Marco Cavallo.
• Research Institute for Neuroscience, Education and Didactics, Fondazione Patrizio Paoletti, 06081 Assisi, Italy.
• Medicina (Kaunas). 2021 Feb 27; 57 (3).

AbstractBackground and Objectives: Neurodegenerative diseases that typically affect the elderly such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and frontotemporal dementia are typically characterised by significant cognitive impairment that worsens significantly over time. To date, viable pharmacological options for the cognitive symptoms in these clinical conditions are lacking. In recent years, various studies have employed neuromodulation techniques to try and contrast patients' decay. Materials and Methods: We conducted an in-depth literature review of the state-of-the-art of the contribution of these techniques across these neurodegenerative diseases. Results: The present review reports that neuromodulation techniques targeting cognitive impairment do not allow to draw yet any definitive conclusion about their clinical efficacy although preliminary evidence is very encouraging. Conclusions: Further and more robust studies should evaluate the potentialities and limitations of the application of these promising therapeutic tools to neurodegenerative diseases.

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