Maintenance deep transcranial magnetic stimulation sessions are associated with reduced depressive relapses in patients with unipolar or bipolar depression

Chiara Rapinesi, Francesco Saverio Bersani, Georgios D. Kotzalidis, Claudio Imperatori, Antonio Del Casale, Simone Di Pietro, Vittoria R. Ferri, Daniele Serata, Ruggero N. Raccah, Abraham Zangen, Gloria Angeletti, Paolo Girardi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

45 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: Deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS) is a new form of TMS allowing safe stimulation of deep brain regions. The objective of this preliminary study was to assess the role of dTMS maintenance sessions in protecting patients with bipolar disorder (BD) or recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD) from developing depressive or manic relapses in a 12-month follow-up period. Methods: Twenty-four drug-resistant patients with a current depressive episode and a diagnosis of MDD or BD have been enrolled in the study. All the participants underwent daily dTMS sessions for 4 weeks. One group (maintenance - M group) received additional maintenance dTMS sessions weekly or twice a week. Results: After the first dTMS cycle, a significant reduction of Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) scores was observed in all participants. Subsequently, the HDRS mean scores did not significantly change over time in the M group, while it significantly increased in the non-M-group after 6 and 12 months. Discussion: This study confirms previous evidence of a positive therapeutic effect of dTMS on depressive symptoms and suggests that, after recovery from acute episodes, maintenance dTMS sessions may be helpful in maintaining euthymia in a 12-month follow-up period.

Original languageEnglish
Article number00016
JournalFrontiers in Neurology
Volume6
Issue numberFEB
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2015

Keywords

  • Bipolar disorder
  • Brain modulation
  • Deep transcranial magnetic stimulation
  • Neuropsychiatry
  • Recurrent major depressive disorder

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology

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