We report the cases of two drug-resistant major depressed psychotic patients, who were treated with 10 sessions of transcranial magnetic stimulations (TMS) and afterwards with 10 sessions of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) without changing the concomitant neuroleptic and antidepressive medication. TMS did not exert a therapeutic effect in one patient and only a slight one in the other. However, there was a clear beneficial effect for ECT in the patient not responding to TMS and a slight therapeutic effect in the other. In summary, there was no clear-cut evidence for effectiveness of TMS as a treatment for patients with psychotic, therapy resistant depression.However, since there was a slight therapeutic effect of TMS in one patient it seems worthwhile to explore its therapeutic efficacy in a larger group of depressed patients.KEY wow-Transcranial magnetic stimulation, electroconvulsive therapy, drug-resistant major depression.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a diagnostic method well established in neurology. As some effects of TMS are similar to those of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), we looked for an antidepressant efficacy of TMS in a semi-blinded monocentric pilot study. Fifteen patients with Major Depression (DSM-111-R) were included Ten patients were randomized into two groups and treated with 250 transcranial magnetic stimuli/session for five consecutive days. Stimulus intensity in the two groups was motoric threshold 0.3 tesla respectively. Five patients received placebo stimulation in a similar setting. As assessed by the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), the Clinical Global Impression (CGI), and the Adjective Mood Scale of von Zerssen (Bf-S/Bf-S'), there was an improvement of depressive symptoms in both verum groups, more pronounced in the 'stimulation below threshold' group. Patients in the placebo group did not benefit from stimulation. Our data suggest that TMS might indeed have a relevant antidepressive efficacy.

Abstract. Selected Rhizobium bacteria, arbuscular mycorrhiza-forming (AM) fungi and associative bacteria have been shown to stimulate the growth of legumes, gramineae and cruciferae in field experiments on different soil types in temperate regions. A combination of microorganisms with different metabolic capacities (N2-fixation, P-mobilization; production of phytohormones and antibiotics) can partly surpass the effect of single inoculations, or can produce a positive effect where single inoculations are ineffective. Growth stimulation by inoculation requires microorganisms with phytoeffective metabolic characteristics and the ability to survive in the rhizosphere during the growth period. Another prerequisite is an adequate supply of plant assimilates for the production of microbial phytoeffective metabolites. Type of inoculum, method of inoculation and agricultural measures can influence the effect of the inoculation. Research is necessary to extend our knowledge both of basic principles, and about using microorganisms in practice.

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The aims of the present study were to investigate regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in heroin-dependent patients during withdrawal and to assess the relation between these changes and duration of heroin consumption and withdrawal data. The rCBF was measured using brain SPECT with ^99mTc-HMPAO in 16 heroin-dependent patients during heroin withdrawal. Thirteen patients received levomethadone at the time of the SPECT scans. The images were analyzed both visually and quantitatively. A total of 21 hypoperfused brain regions were observed in 11 of the 16 patients. The temporal lobes were the most affected area, hypoperfusions of the right and left temporal lobe were observed in 5 and 5 patients, respectively. Three of the patients had a hypoperfusion of the right frontal lobe, 2 patients showed perfusion defects in the left frontal lobe, right parietal lobe and left parietal lobe. The results of the quantitative assessments of the rCBF were consistent with the results of the qualitative findings. The stepwise regression analysis showed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.54) between the dose of levomethadone at the time of the SPECT scan and the rCBF of the right parietal lobe. Other significant correlations between clinical data and rCBF were not found. The present results suggest brain perfusion abnormalities during heroin withdrawal in heroin-dependent patients, which are not due to the conditions of withdrawal.