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Combining high and low frequencies in rTMS antidepressive treatment: preliminary results
Author(s) -
Conca Andreas,
Di Pauli Jan,
Beraus Wolfgang,
Hausmann Armand,
Peschina William,
Schneider Hubert,
König Peter,
Hinterhuber Hartmann
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
human psychopharmacology: clinical and experimental
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.461
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1099-1077
pISSN - 0885-6222
DOI - 10.1002/hup.422
Subject(s) - transcranial magnetic stimulation , audiology , stimulus (psychology) , stimulation , psychology , transcranial alternating current stimulation , brain stimulation , medicine , physical medicine and rehabilitation , anesthesia , neuroscience , psychotherapist
The antidepressive potency of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) seems to depend on variables such as the stimulation placements, different frequencies, stimulus intensities, coil shape and interstimulus intervals. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the augmentation properties of rTMS combining low and high frequencies. Thirty six depressed medicated in‐patients were recruited and assigned to three different rTMS treatment modalities as an add‐on strategy (each n = 12). In group 1 a stimulus intensity of 110% of the motor threshold (MT) was used with a frequency of 10 Hz over the left dorsolatero prefrontal cortex (DLPC). The right DLPC was stimulated in the same session with 110% MT at 1 Hz. In group 2 the patients were stimulated only over the left DLPC with alternating trains of 110% MT at 10 Hz and trains of 110% MT at 1 Hz in the same session. In group 3 the high frequency stimulation over the left DLPC was performed as an internal control group. None of the treatment modalities was superior but different side effects were observed. These preliminary findings suggest that rTMS, at varying frequencies and stimulation placements, evokes different psychoactive effects of clinical relevance. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.