Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST) can Treat Depression by Changing the Structure and Function of our Brains
Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST) is similar to rTMS: it is a safe, painless, effective, and non-invasive way to treat even severe depression that hasn’t improved with antidepressants. MST also uses a device placed on the scalp to deliver a magnetic field that disrupts the brain’s electrical activity. However, MST is stronger. In fact, it is intended to elicit a closely-monitored seizure that is then thought to rewire the brain for the better. The researchers of the current study were wondering if changes in the brain structure (size) and function (activity) were related to improvements in depression after MST.
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.
Memory can improve after rTMS treatment for those with depression-related cognitive symptoms
Did you know that poor mood is not the only way to diagnose depression? In fact, cognitive impairment – worsened thinking, concentration, and decision making – is one of nine criteria for the disorder. This impairment is even more common and severe among those who have treatment-resistant depression: a particular case where someone does not improve with standard antidepressant medications. This study assessed changes to cognition 3 months post-rTMS among a group of people with treatment-resistant depression and compared it to people without depression.
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.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) in Treatment-Resistant Depression
When all else fails, treatment-resistant depression can be especially debilitating: it is associated with recurring depressive episodes, higher risk of suicide, and a greater amount of hospitalizations. For those who fail ≥ 2 gold-standard antidepressants or otherwise have a need for rapid improvement, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be the solution. ECT (in its modern sense) has been used for more than 90 years, but the persisting stigma and media portrayal related to treatment procedures mean it is rarely used in clinical treatments – even though it could help many recover from even persistent depression. This review article examines myths and facts about ECT, including its current use, safety, and side effects.
Differential symptom cluster responses to repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) treatment in depression
Everyone experiences depression differently. Few studies have looked at how individual symptoms change across treatment, and how they might be related. Specifically, this study was interested in individuals with treatment-resistant depression and how they respond to new, effective repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) treatments (or the shortened version, iTBS).
NINET-IMH HTAC Survey Results Summary
Written By. Kevin Jiang Last January, NINET-IMH team sent out a survey to the clinic patients asking about their opinions on making rTMS publicly funded in BC, as well as to share their experiences receiving rTMS treatments.In the hopes of reinforcing the lab’s application of nominating rTMS to the BC Health Technology Assessment Committee (HTAC) […]
Side Effects Trajectories in rTMS Treatment for Depression
Side Effects Trajectories in rTMS Treatment for Depression: High Frequency Left (10Hz) vs. Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation Afifa Humaira, Sihaoyu Gao , Lang Wu, Jonathan Downar, Daniel Blumberger, Fidel Vila-Rodriguez Introduction According to WHO, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of disability that affects 350 million people worldwide, and 30% of them suffer […]
Long term effects of rTMS
Long term effects of rTMS on the Functional Brain Networks in Treatment-resistant Depression Ruiyang Ge , Jonathan Downar, Daniel M. Blumberger, Zafiris J. Daskalakis, Raymond Lam & Fidel Vila-Rodriguez Background Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) MDD is a severe disabling and highly prevalent disorder with substantial societal costs. Approximately 60% of the patients do not achieve […]