scholarly journals Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Antidepressants for the First Episode of Major Depressive Disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 852-860 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benchalak Maneeton ◽  
Narong Maneeton ◽  
Pakapan Woottiluk ◽  
Surinporn Likhitsathian

Objectives: The aims of this study were to systematically review the efficacy, acceptability, and tolerability of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with antidepressants in the treatment of the first major depressive disorder (MDD) episode. Materials and Methods: The primary efficacious outcome was the pooled mean-endpoint scores of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD). Rates of response, remission rate, overall discontinuation and discontinuation due to adverse events were also evaluated. Search in the Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register databases for interesting outcomes was carried out in March 2018. Results: A total of 108 randomized patients of two randomized controlled trials were included in this study. The pooled mean- endpoint scores of the HAMD in one, two, and four weeks for rTMS plus antidepressants (citalopram or paroxetine) were greater than that of sham plus the antidepressants. The pooled rates of overall discontinuation and discontinuation rates due to adverse events were not different between the two groups. Conclusion: According to a piece of limited evidence, the high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (HF-rTMS) could accelerate the antidepressant effect of SSRIs in young patients with a first-episode major depressive disorder. However, the acceptability and tolerability of HF-rTMS in the treatment of such patients are no better than an antidepressant alone. However, further well-defined and large sample-size studies of HF-rTMS combined with an antidepressant in MDD should be carried out to warrant these results.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 765
Author(s):  
Jie Tong ◽  
Jie Zhang ◽  
Ying Jin ◽  
Weiqing Liu ◽  
Hao Wang ◽  
...  

Background: Studies have implicated hypofrontality in the pathogenesis of impaired theory of mind (ToM) and executive function (EF) in major depressive disorder (MDD). These symptoms are usually resistant to treatment. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been shown to reverse hypofrontality. Moreover, BDNF is an effective biomarker of antidepressant effects, but there have been very few studies on the correlation between BDNF and rTMS. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of 20 sessions of a 10 Hz unilateral rTMS intervention over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in improving ToM and EF in patients with MDD and its correlation with BDNF. Methods: A total of 120 MDD patients were enrolled in this randomized, sham-controlled, double-blind trial. Each participant received 20 sessions of rTMS at 10 Hz frequency through the active or the sham coil over 4 weeks. ToM was assessed with the facial emotion identification test (FEIT) and hinting task (HT). EF was assessed with the Wisconsin card sorting test (WCST). BDNF assessments were carried out at baseline and 2-, 4-, 12-, and 24-week follow-ups. Results: The improvement in the ToM (FEIT, HT) in the active rTMS group was significantly different from that in the sham rTMS group (F = 18.09, p < 0.001; F = 5.02, p = 0.026). There were significant differences in the WCST (categories completed, response errors, response perseverative errors, non-response perseverative errors) after logarithmic transformation at different time points in the active rTMS group (F = 14.71, p < 0.001; F = 5.99, p = 0.046; F = 8.90, p = 0.031; F = 2.31, p = 0.048). However, there was no significant difference in log transformed BDNF concentration between the two groups (t = 0.07 to t = 1.29, p > 0.05). BDNF was negatively correlated with WCST categories completed at the 24th week (r = −0.258, p = 0.046). Conclusions: The results show that rTMS may improve the ToM and EF of patients with MDD and there was no significant correlation with serum BDNF concentration. RTMS can not only be used for treatment of patients with MDD but also has a positive effect on ToM and EF.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 48
Author(s):  
Victor M. Tang ◽  
Bernard Le Foll ◽  
Daniel M. Blumberger ◽  
Daphne Voineskos

Major depressive disorder (MDD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are leading causes of disability, and patients are frequently affected by both conditions. This comorbidity is known to confer worse outcomes and greater illness severity. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation method that has demonstrated antidepressant effects. However, the study of rTMS for patients with MDD and commonly associated comorbidities, such as AUD, has been largely overlooked, despite significant overlap in clinical presentation and neurobiological mechanisms. This narrative review aims to highlight the interrelated aspects of the literature on rTMS for MDD and rTMS for AUD. First, we summarize the available evidence on the effectiveness of rTMS for each condition, both most studied through stimulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Second, we describe common symptom constructs that can be modulated by rTMS, such as executive dysfunction, that are transdiagnostic across these disorders. Lastly, we describe promising approaches in the personalization and optimization of rTMS that may be applicable to both AUD and MDD. By bridging the gap between research efforts in MDD and AUD, rTMS is well positioned to be developed as a treatment for the many patients who have both conditions concurrently.


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