Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment for depressive disorders: current knowledge and future directions

Baeken Chris, Anna-Katharine Brem, Martijn Arns, Andre R Brunoni, Igor Filipčić, Ganho-Ávila Ana, Berthold Langguth, Frank Padberg, Emmanuel Poulet, Fady Rachid, Alexander T Sack*, Marie-Anne Vanderhasselt, Djamila Bennabi

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal(Systematic) Review article peer-review

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: After three decades of clinical research on repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), major depressive disorder (MDD) has proven to be the primary field of application. MDD poses a major challenge for health systems worldwide, emphasizing the need for improving clinical efficacy of existing rTMS applications and promoting the development of novel evidence-based rTMS treatment approaches.

RECENT FINDINGS: Several promising new avenues have been proposed: novel stimulation patterns, targets, and coils; combinatory treatments and maintenance; and personalization and stratification of rTMS parameters, and treatment of subpopulations.

SUMMARY: This opinion review summarizes current knowledge in the field and addresses the future direction of rTMS treatment in MDD, facilitating the establishment of this clinical intervention method as a standard treatment option and continuing to improve response and remission rates, and take the necessary steps to personalize rTMS-based treatment approaches.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)409–415
Number of pages7
JournalCurrent Opinion in Psychiatry
Volume32
Issue number5
Early online date27 May 2019
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2019

Keywords

  • BIPOLAR DEPRESSION
  • DEEP TMS
  • DOUBLE-BLIND
  • EFFICACY
  • MAJOR DEPRESSION
  • METAANALYSIS
  • NETWORK
  • RTMS
  • TMS TREATMENT
  • TREATMENT-RESISTANT DEPRESSION
  • depression
  • efficacy
  • repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation

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