How the Brain Reacts to rTMS can Predict Who Will Benefit Most From this Depression Treatment
rTMS is a safe, non-invasive neurostimulation technique used to treat depression. It works by applying a coil to the scalp, which then delivers magnetic pulses that disrupts the way the brain functions in depression. Importantly, it is effective even for people who did not benefit from antidepressants. Predicting who might benefit best from rTMS is an important topic for researchers: it can help direct patients and clinicians to whatever treatments would be best for them. The researchers of the current study were wondering if how the brain reacts to rTMS can be used to predict whether someone with depression would benefit from this treatment. Specifically, how the functional connectivity between brain areas changes with rTMS.
Four Paths of Response to rTMS in Treatment-Resistant Depression
rTMS treatment outcomes are very diverse. Some may improve almost instantly, others may require a higher number or intensity of treatments, and others may not respond at all. Understanding the diversity of rTMS treatment responses can be important in order for clinicians and patients to find the best, personalized treatment approach for their depression. The aim of this study was to describe the number and pattern of unique pathways (i.e., trajectories) of improvement to rTMS among a large group of people with treatment-resistant depression.
LEFT and RIGHT-handed people with treatment-resistant depression improve equally with rTMS
Interestingly, handedness (i.e., whether an individual is right or left handed) might indicate which side of the brain/body is more dominant. Potentially, this could affect the intensity of stimulation that left or right-handed people need. Additionally, rTMS is delivered to the left side of an individual’s head. This region of the brain controls the right side of your body — raising the question as to whether rTMS is equally effective for left and right-handed people. This could have important impacts for depression treatment.
Who may be most likely to benefit from repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)?
Even though repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is largely effective at treating depression even for those who do not respond to antidepressants, there is still a fraction of individuals who do not improve with rTMS. Predicting who may respond best to rTMS may help clinicians and patients make better choices as to what treatments to pursue, with the ultimate hope to better treat depression. Trevizol et al. (2020) used data from a clinical trial run by the NINET Lab at UBC called THREE-D to determine if there are characteristics that can help predict whether someone would benefit from rTMS.
HTAC Survey Results
HTAC Survey Results Show Support for Provincial rTMS Funding By. Kevin Jiang “I have struggled with cyclical depression for approximately 20 years. I have tried many medications and alternative treatments. rTMS has proven to be the most effective treatment I have found.” The NINET-IMH Clinic & Laboratory has submitted a nomination to […]