Updated Review on the Clinical Use of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Psychiatric Disorders

Abstract

With the ability to modulate cortical activity, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is becoming increasingly important in clinical applications for psychiatric disorders. Previous studies have demonstrated its promising efficacy in depression and schizophrenia, and emerging evidence has also been found in patients with anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and substance or food craving. However, the overall literature features some conflicting results, varied quality of studies, and a lack of consensus on optimal rTMS parameters. Besides, the efficacy of rTMS in patients with medication-resistant symptoms has drawn most attention from clinicians. Here we review multi-site studies and double-blind randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in single sites, as well as meta-analyses of RCTs in the last three years, in order to update evidence on efficacy and the optimal protocol of rTMS in psychiatric disorders, especially for medication-resistant symptoms.

Consecutive sessions of transcranial direct current stimulation do not remediate visual hallucinations in Lewy body dementia: a randomised controlled trial

“…However, a limitation of the present study was that participants did not routinely undergo magnetic resonance imaging prior to participation and therefore the extent of any atrophy was not known. The modality of stimulation may also be a factor; repetitive TMS has an established evidence base in the treatment of a range of neuropsychiatric symptoms [58] and, compared to tDCS, has the advantage of improved focality [59]. That said, potential disadvantages of TMS in a clinical context include the time-consuming and technical nature of delivery [60].…”

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

“…It has also been observed that rTMS is able to produce after-effects via inducing long-term potentiation or depression on synaptic activity [ 9 ]. This technique has therefore been widely investigated as a potential therapy for neurological and psychiatric disorders such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, depression and schizophrenia [ 10 , 11 ].…”

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Alzheimer’s Disease: Are We Ready?

“…Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) has generated considerable interest in this context. Prominently including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation, this family of related technologies shares a generally well tolerated safety profile in healthy young adults and is currently under investigation for treating a growing list of potential indications (Rossi et al, 2009;Guo et al, 2017).…”