{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,3]],"date-time":"2026-07-03T00:38:40Z","timestamp":1783039120105,"version":"3.54.6"},"reference-count":46,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"3","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,30]],"date-time":"2025-01-30T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1738195200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"AFRI"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["IJMS"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Parkinson\u2019s disease (PD) neuropathology is marked by the selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, accompanied by the widespread involvement of central and peripheral structures. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neurotrophin crucial for the survival of dopaminergic neurons, plays a pivotal role in neuronal and glial development, neuroprotection, and the modulation of synaptic plasticity. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a non-invasive technique, enhances neurotransmitter release, trans-synaptic efficacy, signaling pathways, gene transcription, neuroplasticity, and neurotrophism. Evidence supports that high-frequency rTMS increases BDNF expression and improves task-specific cognitive deficits in PD patients. This article outlines a detailed protocol to investigate whether rTMS targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex bilaterally induces changes in plasma BDNF levels, the plasma-derived exosomal BDNF concentration, and executive functions in individuals with PD. Identifying non-invasive interventions that effectively modulate the neurobiological mechanisms underlying cognitive and behavioral functions is critical for addressing cognitive impairments and mitigating disease progression in the PD population. This study aims to advance translational research by identifying biomarkers and developing therapeutic strategies for future applications in neurodegenerative diseases.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ijms26031205","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,30]],"date-time":"2025-01-30T11:08:23Z","timestamp":1738235303000},"page":"1205","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":4,"title":["The Effect of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Treatment on Plasma BDNF Concentration and Executive Functions in Parkinson\u2019s Disease: A Theoretical Translational Medicine Approach"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"26","author":[{"given":"Gianna Carla","family":"Riccitelli","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation Research Unit, Institute of Clinical Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, EOC, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland"},{"name":"Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Universit\u00e0 della Svizzera Italiana, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0007-0021-9415","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Riccardo","family":"Gironi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation Research Unit, Institute of Clinical Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, EOC, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-2069-4620","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Giorgia","family":"Melli","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Universit\u00e0 della Svizzera Italiana, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland"},{"name":"Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Laboratory for Translational Research EOC, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5249-073X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Alain","family":"Kaelin-Lang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation Research Unit, Institute of Clinical Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, EOC, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland"},{"name":"Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Universit\u00e0 della Svizzera Italiana, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland"},{"name":"Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Laboratory for Translational Research EOC, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland"},{"name":"Movement Disorders Unit, Institute of Clinical Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, EOC, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland"},{"name":"Department of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, 3010 Bern, Switzerland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,30]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"47","DOI":"10.1038\/s41572-021-00280-3","article-title":"Parkinson disease-associated cognitive impairment","volume":"7","author":"Aarsland","year":"2021","journal-title":"Nat. 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