Personalized magnetic stimulation may help in treating depression

Two recent studies offer insights into enhancing transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), an alternative treatment for depression that doesn’t respond to medication. Unlike electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), TMS is a non-invasive procedure. Researchers from the University of Helsinki and Stanford University explored factors that influence TMS’s effectiveness by examining a specific electrophysiological marker in the brain. This marker could potentially serve as a biomarker to gauge TMS efficacy and help tailor treatments.

Postdoctoral researcher Juha Gogulski notes that while TMS is effective for some patients, about half do not benefit significantly. The studied biomarker might predict which patients will respond well to TMS and aid in customizing treatment. The first study focused on how targeting the prefrontal cortex with magnetic stimulation and adjusting the angle of the stimulation coil impacts cortical excitability, as measured by EEG. Results indicated that different targeting within the prefrontal cortex significantly affects the quality of electrical responses, suggesting that individual optimization of stimulation could improve outcomes.

The second study assessed the reliability of the electrophysiological marker in the prefrontal cortex, finding that the stimulation site is the most critical factor. Accurate measurement of prefrontal cortex excitability is necessary to monitor changes during TMS treatment and ensure the reliability of biomarkers for clinical application.

While TMS already benefits some people with depression, Gogulski emphasizes that individual treatment customization could enhance its effectiveness. Factors like stimulation site, pulse frequency, intensity, and session count can all be adjusted. TMS side effects are minimal, with mild headaches being the most common.

The significance of these studies lies in their systematic mapping of electrical responses in the prefrontal cortex, which had not been done before. This detailed analysis is expected to help monitor and adjust TMS therapy based on real-time brain responses, potentially improving treatment efficacy. However, further research is needed before these new methods can be clinically implemented.

Story Source: Materials provided by University of Helsinki [Link]

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