Journal: Acta Diabetologica, 59(5):729–742
Authors: Ferrulli A, Gandini S, Cammarata G, Redaelli V, Massarini S, Macrì C, Terruzzi I, Cannavaro D, Luzi F, Luzi L
Background:
Obesity is known to be associated with an altered thermoregulation as well as a dysregulation of sympathetic nervous system (SNS). Considering the ability of deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS) to modulate the SNS, we hypothesized a potential role of dTMS in affecting thermoregulation in obesity.
Objective:
Aims of the study were to monitor the effect of a single session of dTMS on body temperature in subjects with obesity, and to correlate the dTMS-induced changes in body temperature with activation of the sympathetic nervous system (epinephrine and norepinephrine release).
Methods:
Twenty-nine subjects with obesity were randomized into 2 groups receiving a single session of high frequency stimulation (HF) or sham stimulation. Under neutral thermal conditions, infrared thermography was utilized to assess bilateral fingernail-beds and abdominal temperature.
Results:
During a single session HF, the average temperature of both fingernail-beds decreased. Right-hand temperature difference was statistically greater in HF vs Sham, while temperature variation in the fingernail-bed of left hand was not statistically significant in HF compared to Sham. Concurrently, when estimating the effect of norepinephrine variation on temperature change of fingernail-bed of left hand, a borderline significant positive association was estimated in HF.
Conclusions:
Deep TMS revealed to be effective in modulating temperature in subjects with obesity, partially reversing obesity-induced alterations in heat production and dissipation with a potential sympathetic nervous system-mediated mechanism.
