RAPID-RATE TRANSCRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION OF LEFT DORSOLATERAL PREFRONTAL CORTEX IN DRUG-RESISTANT DEPRESSION

Background Lesion and neuroimaging studies suggest that left prefronta l lobe dysfunction is pathophysiologically linked to depression. Rapid -rate transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to prefrontal lateralis ed effect on mood In normal several preliminary studies suggest a bene ficial effect of rTMS on depression. However, adequately controlled st udies have not been conducted. Methods We have studied the effects of focal rTMS on the depressive symptoms in 17 patients with medication-r esistant depression of psychotic subtype. The study was designed as a multiple cross-over, randomised placebo-controlled trial. Sham rTMS an d stimulation of different cortical areas were used as controls. Findi ngs Left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex rTMS resulted in a significant decrease in scores on the Hamilton depression rating scale HDRS (from 25.2 to 13.8) and the self-rated Beck questionnaire BQ (from 47.9 to 25.7). 11 of the 17 patients showed pronounced improvement that lasted for about 2 weeks after 5 days of daily rTMS sessions. No patient exp erienced any significant undesirable side-effects. Interpretation Our findings emphasise the role of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in depression, and suggest that rTMS of the left dorsolateral prefron tal cortex might become a safe, non-convulsive alternative to electroc onvulsive treatment in depression.