Article Type : Research Article
Authors : Anninos P, Chatzimichael A, Anninou N, Adamopoulos A, Kotini A, Gemousakakis T and Tsagas N
Keywords : MEG; Fourier transform; Autism disorder; Theta; Alpha; Beta
The purpose of this research was to study the theta,
alpha and beta rhythm in 10 children who diagnosed with autism disorder before
and after the application of pico Tesla transcranial magnetic stimulation
(pT-TMS) . The study population included 4 boys and 6 girls, with ages ranged
from 6-12 years (mean± SD: 9 ± 1.8). A whole-head 122-channel gradiometer was
used in a room that was magnetically shielded. It was sawn that after the use
of pT-TMS most patients had an improvement in their clinical symptoms. We
concluded that the treatment with pT-TMS affect theta, alpha and beta rhythm in
children with autism disorder inspiring additional studies to be conducted.
Autism disorder is a persistent developing disorder described by
deficits in public communication, linguistic, stereotyped behaviors, and
limited variety of attention. Anninos and Tsagas device [1] is a head covering
including up to 122 coils that were organized in five array groups, so as to
cover frontal, vertex, right - left temporal, right - left parietal and
occipital region. It was used to generate pT-TMS range modulations of magnetic
flux in the alpha frequency range 8-13 Hz on every single subject as the proper
physiological frequency. We have examined additionally more frequencies as well
as other forms of oscillations earlier but there were no effects. The pT-TMS
device generates a square wave so as to look like with the firing activity of
neurons in the brain [2-9]. In our study we used this electronic device in
order to avoid upper level of TMS since this could have side effects to
children.
This research is a continuation of our previously published work
investigating the delta and theta rhythm after the treatment with pT-TMS in
children with autism disorder using a double-blind experimental design [2] and
the beta rhythm in autism children [3]. In the current study we investigate the
theta, alpha and beta rhythm in children with autism disorder after the
treatment of pT-TMS.
Biomagnetic data were recorded with the use of a whole-head
122-channel magnetoencephalograpy (MEG) (Neuromag-122, Neuromag Ltd. Helsinki,
Finland) [2-9] in a room that it was electromagnetically shielded. Our study
population consisted of 4 boys and 6 girls with autism, with ages vary from
6-12 years (mean± SD: 9±1.8). The Investigational Review Board of our
University approved the research. The parents gave informed permission for the
method and the purpose of the research.
Each child was comfortably seated on a non-magnetic chair in a magnetically
shielded room covered by the helmet-shaped Dewar and had eyes closed. In order
to prevent artifacts. We visually inspected the MEG data tracings off-line and
cut off periods contaminated with artifacts. We took 3 min recording for each
child in order to certify awareness. The sampling frequency of resting state
MEG recordings was 256Hz. We filtered the frequencies cut – off 0.3 and 40Hz.
Our laboratory made a software program in order to identify the amplitude of
the major leading frequency of the power spectra of the MEG following the use
of Fast Fourier
Transform (FFT). We used the FFT algorithm
to find the first dominant frequency of the theta, alpha and beta rhythm.
All children had the same clinical characteristics before the treatment with pT-TMS (severity level 1). They exhibited persistent deficits in social interaction and communication; reduced sharing of emotions and interests; difficulties in making friends; failure to start or react to public relations and intellectual disability. (Table 1) shows the medical characteristics of every child after treatment with pT-TMS one-month. (Table 2) shows the theta, alpha and beta frequencies in the autistic children previously and afterwards the treatment with pT-TMS. (Figure 1) illustrated the numbers of Table 1 in one graph. We observe the behavior of the three rhythms in each autistic child previously and afterwards the treatment with pT-TMS.
Figure 1: Exhibits the theta, alpha and beta rhythms for every child prior to and after the treatment with pT-TMS.
Table 1: The table shows the symptoms of each child, in the list of disorders, following one-month pT-TMS application at home.
Patient |
Age |
Sex |
After pT-TMS |
1 |
9 |
M |
Normal
changes and behavior |
2 |
8 |
F |
Normal
changes and behavior |
3 |
8 |
F |
Major
changes |
4 |
8 |
F |
Mixed
changes |
5 |
6 |
M |
Major
changes |
6 |
9 |
F |
Minor
changes |
7 |
12 |
M |
Minor
changes |
8 |
11 |
F |
Major
changes |
9 |
7 |
F |
Major
changes |
10 |
8 |
M |
Minor
changes |
Table 2: Autistic patients (bpT-TMS: Before magnetic stimulation; apT-TMS: After magnetic stimulation).
Patient |
Age |
Theta
|
Alpha |
Beta
|
|||
bpT-TMS |
apT-TMS |
bpT-TMS |
apT-TMS |
bpT-TMS |
apT-TMS |
||
1(M) |
9 |
2.67 |
2.80 |
8.39 |
9.30 |
18.1 |
17.41 |
2(M) |
8 |
4.89 |
5.1 |
8.55 |
9.89 |
17.00 |
16.70 |
3(M) |
6 |
2.28 |
2.56 |
9.42 |
9.71 |
18.32 |
20.24 |
4(M) |
12 |
2.66 |
3.05 |
9.98 |
10.5 |
19.43 |
18.20 |
5(F) |
8 |
4.84 |
2.56 |
8.87 |
9.71 |
15.56 |
20.24 |
6(F) |
9 |
3.50 |
2.99 |
9.89 |
10.50 |
16.67 |
18.02 |
7(F) |
11 |
3.85 |
3.13 |
9.75 |
10.50 |
15.69 |
17.70 |
8(F) |
11 |
2.79 |
3.71 |
8.72 |
9.20 |
17.52 |
18.00 |
9(F) |
8 |
2.69 |
4.00 |
9.10 |
9.30 |
16.16 |
17.00 |
10(F) |
8 |
2.87 |
2.56 |
8.52 |
9.71 |
16.84 |
20.24 |
The mechanism of the action of the extremely small magnetic fields
(pT-TMS) is undetermined. However, one prospective cause is that these magnetic
fields have been demonstrated to affect the action of the pineal gland (PG)
that controls the endogenous opioid functions, the dopaminergic modulation, and
GABA. Two patents established the function of PG after pT-TMS [1,8]. Anninou
and Tsagas patent [8], showed the improving of the immune system which is
regulated by the PG. Anninos and Tsagas patent [1], shown the decalcification
of epiphysis by means of magnetic fields with characteristics defined by MEG
and the pT-TMS device. Alpha rhythm is correlated to PG. Since the maximum
appearance of alpha rhythm has been known to happen with puberty, it is
potential that the formation of alpha rhythm is dependent to neuroendocrine
influences. Nocturnal plasma melatonin levels have been demonstrated to
decrease gradually during childhood reaching a lowly point at puberty This
progressively decrease in melatonin secretion throughout childhood enables the maturation
of alpha rhythm. So, the change of alpha rhythm could be used as a
neurophysiological indicator for the action of the PG and for the disorders
related with missing or late development of the alpha rhythm such as autism,
dyslexia, epilepsy, Parkinson etc, which might be associated to disturbances of
PG melatonin functions in early lifetime [10].
We concluded that the pT-TMS is a method that effects
non-invasively and improves the symptoms in most of the autism patients.
Additional investigations with a larger number of patients and replication of
the pilot results by other research centers are required.
This study was funded by a partnership of the General Secretariat
of Research and Technology, GR, and ERGO AEBE, INC, GR (Grant Number: 80623).