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福建医科大学最新Cell子刊论文:电刺激,安全有效治疗小脑疾病
生物世界·2025-07-14 04:00

Core Viewpoint - Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is a common hereditary disorder with no effective treatment, leading to significant burdens on patients and healthcare systems [1][2]. Recent research indicates that transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) may provide a safe and effective intervention for improving symptoms in SCA3 patients [3][11]. Summary by Sections Disease Overview - SCA3 is caused by the expansion of CAG repeats in the ATXN3 gene, leading to progressive cerebellar ataxia, which manifests as unsteady gait, speech difficulties, swallowing problems, and poor motor accuracy [1]. - Most SCA3 patients lose mobility within 10-20 years of onset, with a survival period of 20-25 years from onset to death [2]. Recent Research Findings - A randomized controlled trial published in Cell Reports Medicine demonstrated that tACS is safe, effective, and well-tolerated, improving the severity of ataxia by modulating brain functional connectivity in SCA3 patients [3][11]. - The study involved 82 SCA3 patients, randomly assigned to receive either active tACS or sham stimulation for 2 weeks, with significant improvements observed in the active group [8]. Clinical Trial Details - The trial was a triple-blind, parallel-group, sham-controlled study assessing the effects of tACS on ataxia severity and quality of life, using functional MRI to evaluate changes in brain connectivity [7]. - Results showed that 80% of participants in the active tACS group met the primary outcome measure, compared to only 10% in the sham group, with significant reductions in SARA scores [8]. Implications for Future Treatment - The findings suggest that tACS could be a promising intervention for SCA3 and potentially other cerebellar disorders, highlighting the need for further research into its long-term effects [11].