What is the potential of neurostimulation in the treatment of motor symptoms in schizophrenia?

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Motor abnormalities in schizophrenia are frequent and linked to poor social functioning and low quality of life. To date, there are no effective treatments available to alleviate these motor impairments. Previous studies have linked altered connections within the cerebral motor circuits to motor abnormalities.

Areas covered

This perspective article will discuss the efficacy of noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques as a potential therapeutic tool in improving motor impairments in schizophrenia.

Expert opinion

The cortical motor network is easily accessible using NIBS, which has been proven reliable in restoring motor functioning across different pathologies. It is important to establish protocols that explore optimal treatment targets, timing, and duration of the stimulation, as well as, the standardization of motor assessments in order to compare across different brain stimulation methodologies. The authors believe NIBS to be ideal in restoring and improving motor impairments in schizophrenia.

KEYWORDS:

• Schizophrenia
• motor circuit
• NIBS
• motor abnornalities
• therapeutic intervention

Article highlights

• Motor abnormalities, such as tremors, catatonia or involuntary movements, are frequent in patients with schizophrenia and affect daily functioning and clinical outcome.

• These motor abnormalities stem from the dysfunction of the cortical and subcortical motor circuits.

• To date, available treatments often involve pharmacological agents but none have been successful in alleviating motor abnormalities effectively.

• The cortical motor areas are easily accessible using NIBS.

• NIBS have been successful in restoring motor function across different pathologies

• Only recently, a few studies started to evaluate the potential of NIBS in dealing with motor abnormalities in schizophrenia.

• The next important step is to standardize NIBS protocols for optimal efficacy.

• NIBS is an ideal therapeutic tool in restoring and improving motor impairments in schizophrenia.

Declaration of interest

S Walther has received honoraria from Neurolite, Janssen, Lundbeck, Otsuka, and Sunovion. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.