Transcranial magnetic stimulation to the right parietal cortex in the treatment of depression.

Background:

The aim of the current treatment study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over the right parietal cortex in depression.


Methods:

In a double-blind sham-controlled design ten consecutive sessions of 2 Hz TMS (inter-pulse interval: 1 sec) at 90% MT to the right parietal cortex (2400 pulses p/session) were applied to thirty-four patients with the primary diagnosis of DSM-IV depression and a > 15 score on the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D). The primary outcome measures were the percentage change from baseline on the 17-item HAM-D scores after ten sessions, and the percentage clinical (> 50% reduction in HAM-D score) and partial clinical responders (> 30% reduction in HAM-D score).


Results:

The reduction of HAM-D scores in the real TMS treatment (meanreal ± SD, -19.9 ± 32.5%) was not statistically different from the sham TMS treatment (meansham ± SD, -5.6 ± 28.4%), and the number of clinical responders did not differ between treatments. However, a significant greater number of partial clinical responders was observed in the real (43.8%) as compared to the sham TMS treatment (6.3%).


Conclusions:

The current study provides the first evidence showing that 2 Hz TMS over the right parietal cortex may have antidepressant properties and warrants further research.

Ten consecutive sessions of 2 Hz TMS (inter-pulse interval: 1 sec) at 90% MT to the right parietal cortex (2400 pulses p/session) will have antidepressant effects.

t=1: week 0 - baseline;

t=2: week 2 - endpoint.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation: 2 Hz TMS (inter-pulse interval: 1 sec) at 90% MT to the right parietal cortex (2400 pulses p/session). 10 sessions in total.