Brain Activity and Clinical Outcomes in Adults With Depression Treated With Synchronized Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: An Exploratory Study

Ian A Cook; Andrew C Wilson; Juliana Corlier; Andrew F Leuchter

doi:10.1111/ner.12914

Brain Activity and Clinical Outcomes in Adults With Depression Treated With Synchronized Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: An Exploratory Study

Neuromodulation. 2019 Dec;22(8):894-897. doi: 10.1111/ner.12914. Epub 2019 Jan 13.

Authors

Ian A Cook^{1

2

3}, Andrew C Wilson^{1

2}, Juliana Corlier^{1

2}, Andrew F Leuchter^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
² Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
³ Department of Bioengineering, Henry Samueli School of Engineering & Applied Science, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.

PMID: 30637862
DOI: 10.1111/ner.12914

Abstract

Background: Synchronized transcranial magnetic stimulation (sTMS) imparts low-amplitude magnetic stimulation matched to each patient's individual alpha frequency. It may act through entrainment of brain oscillations.

Objectives: To explore sTMS effects on neurophysiology with electroencephalography (EEG) in adults with major depressive disorder.

Methods: As an ancillary study to a clinical trial of sTMS, EEGs were recorded at baseline and at one and six weeks of treatment. Associations between EEG measures and clinical symptoms were examined.

Results: Absolute and relative power measures did not differ significantly between active and sham groups and did not change significantly over time. Changes occurring over six weeks in alpha current source density at anterior and central midline voxels were significantly correlated with changes in symptoms in subjects treated with active but not sham sTMS.

Conclusion: Neurophysiologic measures suggest that active but not sham sTMS engages brain targets, and that target engagement is related to treatment outcome.

Keywords: Current source; EEG coherence; LORETA; depression; synchronized TMS.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Adult
Alpha Rhythm
Brain Mapping
Depressive Disorder, Major / physiopathology
Depressive Disorder, Major / psychology
Depressive Disorder, Major / therapy*
Double-Blind Method
Electroencephalography
Female
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Middle Aged
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / methods*
Treatment Outcome

Grants and funding

NeoSync, Inc.