Neurophysiologic Correlates of Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is associated with neurophysiologic changes, including cortical hyperexcitability and reduced long‐term potentiation (LTP)‐like plasticity, that can be investigated using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). AD is preceded by a preclinical phase of beta‐amyloid accumulation without clinical or cognitive symptoms. Our goal is to test the relationship of TMS‐based neurophysiologic markers against established cognitive and MRI‐based measures of preclinical AD. If neurophysiologic changes precede the clinical manifestation of AD, they could serve as prognostic markers and targets for therapeutic interventions to slow its progression.