A naturalistic, multi-site study of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy for depression

Prediction of Clinical Response of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder Using Hyperdimensional Computing

Cognitive control dysregulation is nearly universal across disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD). Achieving comparable response rates to medication, the transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) mechanism and its effect on cognitive control have not been well understood yet. This paper investigates the predictive capability of the clinical response to TMS treatment using 34 cognitive variables measured from TMS treatment of 22 MDD subjects over an eight-week period. We employ a novel brain-inspired computing paradigm, hyperdimensional computing (HDC), to classify the effectiveness of TMS using leave-one-subject-out cross-validation (LOSOCV). Four performance metrics-accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and AUC-are used, with AUC being the primary metric. Experimental results reveal that: i). Although SVM outperforms HDC in terms of accuracy, HDC achieves an AUC of 0.82, surpassing SVM by 0.07. ii). The optimal performance for both classifiers is obtained with feature selection using SelectKBest. iii) Among the top features selected by SelectKBest for the two classifiers, ws_MedRT (median rate for the Websurf task) shows a more distinguishable distribution between clinical responses ("1") and no clinical responses ("0"). In conclusion, these results highlight the potential of HDC for predicting clinical responses to TMS and underscore the importance of feature selection in improving classification performance.

Trajectory Modeling and Response Prediction in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Depression

Background

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) therapy could be improved by more accurate and earlier prediction of response. Latent class mixture (LCMM) and non-linear mixed effects (NLME) modeling have been applied to model the trajectories of antidepressant response (or non-response) to TMS, but it is not known whether such models are useful in predicting clinically meaningful change in symptom severity, i.e. categorical (non)response as opposed to continuous scores.

Methods

We compared LCMM and NLME approaches to model the antidepressant response to TMS in a naturalistic sample of 238 patients receiving rTMS for treatment resistant depression, across multiple coils and protocols. We then compared the predictive power of those models.

Results

LCMM trajectories were influenced largely by baseline symptom severity, but baseline symptoms provided little predictive power for later antidepressant response. Rather, the optimal LCMM model was a nonlinear two-class model that accounted for baseline symptoms. This model accurately predicted patient response at 4 weeks of treatment (AUC = 0.70, 95% CI = [0.52 - 0.87]), but not before. NLME offered slightly improved predictive performance at 4 weeks of treatment (AUC = 0.76, 95% CI = [0.58 - 0.94], but likewise, not before.

Conclusions

In showing the predictive validity of these approaches to model response trajectories to rTMS, we provided preliminary evidence that trajectory modeling could be used to guide future treatment decisions.

Childhood maltreatment and outcomes following electroconvulsive therapy in adults with depression

OBJECTIVE

Childhood maltreatment is associated with less favourable treatment outcomes with pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy for depression. It is unknown whether this increased risk of treatment resistance in maltreated individuals extends to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included 501 consecutive adult referrals for an acute course of twice-weekly ECT for unipolar or bipolar depression at an academic inpatient centre in Ireland between 2016 and 2024. Retrospectively reported physical and sexual childhood maltreatment were assessed on hospital admission. Response was defined as a score of 1 or 2 and remission was defined as a score of 1 on the Clinical Global Impression - Improvement scale 1-3 days after final ECT session. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the associations between childhood maltreatment and ECT nonresponse and nonremission, adjusting for covariates. Mediation analyses were conducted to explore the role of psychiatric comorbidities, persistent depressive symptoms lasting 2 years or more in the current episode, and baseline depression severity.

RESULTS

Compared to the group with no childhood maltreatment, the childhood maltreatment group had similar odds of ECT nonresponse (adjusted odds ratio = 1.47, 95% CI = 0.85-2.53) but significantly elevated odds of ECT nonremission (adjusted odds ratio = 3.75, 95% CI = 1.80-7.81). In a mediation analysis, presence of persistent depressive symptoms mediated 7.4% of the total effect of childhood maltreatment on ECT nonremission.

CONCLUSION

Individuals with exposure to childhood maltreatment may be less likely to achieve full remission following a course of ECT.

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Reversing Abnormal Brain Function in Mood Disorders with Early Life Stress: from preclinical models to clinical applications

BACKGROUND

Early life stress (ELS) significantly increases the risk of mood disorders and affects the neurodevelopment of the primary cortex.

HYPOTHESIS

Modulating the primary cortex through neural intervention can ameliorate the impact of ELS on brain development and consequently alleviate its effects on mood disorders.

METHOD

We induced the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model in adolescent rats, followed by applying repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to their primary cortex in early adulthood. To assess the applicability of primary cortex rTMS in humans, we recruited individuals aged 17-25 with mood disorders who had experienced ELS and performed primary cortex rTMS on them. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and depression-related behavioral and clinical symptoms were conducted in both rats and human subjects before and after the rTMS.

RESULTS

In animals, fMRI analysis revealed increased activation in the primary cortex of CUMS rats and decrease subcortical activation. Following the intervention of primary cortex rTMS, the abnormal functional activity was reversed. Similarly, in mood disorders patients with ELS, increased activation in the primary cortex and decreased activation in the frontal cortex were observed. During rTMS intervention, similar neuroimaging improvements were noted, particularly decreased activation in the primary cortex. This suggests that targeted rTMS in the primary cortex can reverse the abnormal neuroimaging.

CONCLUSION

This cross-species translational study has identified the primary cortex as a key region in mood disorders patients with ELS. Targeting the primary cortex with rTMS can correct abnormal functional activity while improving symptoms. Our study provides translational evidence for therapeutics targeting the ELS factor of mood disorders patients.

Trajectory Modeling and Response Prediction in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Depression

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) therapy could be improved by better and earlier prediction of response. Latent class mixture (LCMM) and non-linear mixed effects (NLME) modelling have been applied to model the trajectories of antidepressant response (or non-response) to TMS, but it is not known whether such models can predict clinical outcomes. We compared LCMM and NLME approaches to model the antidepressant response to TMS in a naturalistic sample of 238 patients receiving rTMS for treatment resistant depression (TRD), across multiple coils and protocols. We then compared the predictive power of those models. LCMM trajectories were influenced largely by baseline symptom severity, but baseline symptoms provided little predictive power for later antidepressant response. Rather, the optimal LCMM model was a nonlinear two-class model that accounted for baseline symptoms. This model accurately predicted patient response at 4 weeks of treatment (AUC = 0.70, 95% CI = [0.52-0.87]), but not before. NLME offered slightly improved predictive performance at 4 weeks of treatment (AUC = 0.76, 95% CI = [0.58 - 0.94], but likewise, not before. In showing the predictive validity of these approaches to model response trajectories to rTMS, we provided preliminary evidence that trajectory modeling could be used to guide future treatment decisions.

Stanford neuromodulation therapy for treatment-resistant depression: a systematic review

Objective

This systematic review of randomized controlled studies (RCTs) and observational studies evaluated the efficacy and safety of stanford neuromodulation therapy (SNT) for patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

Methods

A systematic search (up to 25 September, 2023) of RCTs and single-arm prospective studies was conducted.

Results

One RCT (n = 29) and three single-arm prospective studies (n = 34) met the study entry criteria. In the RCT, compared to sham, active SNT was significantly associated with higher rates of antidepressant response (71.4% versus 13.3%) and remission (57.1% versus 0%). Two out of the three single-arm prospective studies reported the percentage of antidepressant response after completing SNT, ranging from 83.3% (5/6) to 90.5% (19/21). In the three single-arm prospective studies, the antidepressant remission rates ranged from 66.7% (4/6) to 90.5% (19/21). No severe adverse events occurred in all the four studies.

Conclusion

This systematic review found SNT significantly improved depressive symptoms in patients with TRD within 5 days, without severe adverse events.

Real world transcranial magnetic stimulation for major depression: A multisite, naturalistic, retrospective study

BACKGROUND

In 2008, the U.S. FDA approved rTMS as a treatment against medication-resistant depression. However, real-world rTMS outcomes remain understudied. This study investigates how rTMS for depression is delivered in routine clinical practice in France, and measures its effectiveness as well as its moderators.

METHODS

Five centers provided retrospective data on patients who were treated with rTMS for treatment-resistant depression from January 2015 to December 2020. Patients were assessed twice using a hetero-questionnaire, with baseline and immediate post-treatment assessments. We conducted univariate analyses to study which factors were significantly associated with rTMS effectiveness. We then included age, gender, and significant factors in a multivariate model.

RESULTS

We collected data from 435 patients with a mean age of 51.27 (14.91): 66 % were female, and 26 % suffered from bipolar depression. Stimulation was delivered using four different stimulation parameters: 1 Hz (7 % of the individuals), 10 Hz (43 %), 20 Hz (12 %), and 50 Hz (intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation, iTBS) (38 %). The mean improvement of depressive symptoms was 33 % (p < 0.001, effect-size: 0.79). Response and remission rates were of 31 % and 22.8 %, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, improvement in depressive symptoms was associated with higher baseline symptoms.

CONCLUSION

This is one of the largest studies that investigates, with careful clinician-rated scales by trained psychiatrists, the effect of rTMS in naturalistic settings. Repetitive TMS appears to be effective in routine clinical practice, although its efficacy could be improved by analyzing predictors of response, as well as personalized targeting of specific brain areas.

Adverse childhood experiences and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation outcomes for depression

BACKGROUND

History of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is associated with poorer treatment outcomes in depression. How ACEs affect outcomes from repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is not well-defined. The primary aim was to investigate whether ACEs affect depression outcomes in patients receiving high frequency rTMS, either deep TMS (dTMS) or intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

METHODS

The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) was collected at baseline and every 2 weeks for 4-6 weeks. Outcomes included improvement in HAMD-17 and remission. The ACE-10 questionnaire was used to quantify categories of ACEs. Data from 99 patients with MDD receiving an acute rTMS course were analyzed.

RESULTS

Patients had a mean of 2.4 ACEs (SD 2.5). No significant differences in outcomes were found between dTMS or iTBS so these data were pooled. Using a continuous ACE variable showed no significant impact on outcomes. Using a categorical ACE variable (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or more) did not reveal significant effects of ACEs on outcomes. Higher ACE was associated with steeper decrease in HAMD-17 only from baseline to week 2 but not at other times.

LIMITATIONS

This was an open-label study. The well-validated ACE questionnaire does not measure severity or frequency of adversities.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with depression receiving rTMS reported on average 2.4 ACEs. ACE scores may lead to a steeper early decline in HAMD-17 but did not otherwise impact depression outcomes. Presence of high levels of ACEs should not preclude consideration of rTMS for depression.

TMS Database Registry Consortium Research Project in Japan (TReC-J) for Future Personalized Psychiatry

The registry project led by the Japanese Society for Clinical Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Research aims to establish a centralized database of epidemiological, clinical, and biological data on TMS therapy for refractory psychiatric disorders, including treatment-resistant depression, as well as to contribute to the elucidation of the therapeutic mechanism of TMS therapy and to the validation of its efficacy by analyzing and evaluating these data in a systematic approach. The objective of this registry project is to collect a wide range of complex data linked to patients with various neuropsychiatric disorders who received TMS therapy throughout Japan, and to make effective use of these data to promote cross-sectional and longitudinal exploratory observational studies. Research utilizing this registry project will be conducted in a multicenter, non-invasive, retrospective, and prospective observational research study design, regardless of the framework of insurance medical care, private practice, or clinical research. Through the establishment of the registry, which aims to make use of data, we will advance the elucidation of treatment mechanisms and identification of predictors of therapeutic response to TMS therapy for refractory psychiatric disorders on a more real-world research basis. Furthermore, as a future vision, we aim to develop novel neuromodulation medical devices, algorithms for predicting treatment efficacy, and digital therapeutics based on the knowledge generated from this TMS registry database.

Investigation of physical activity, sleep, and mental health recovery in treatment resistant depression (TRD) patients receiving repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) treatment

Background

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is effective in treating depression; however, the effect on physical activity, sleep and recovery is unclear. This study investigated rTMS effect on physical activity and sleep through providing patients with a Fitbit and software apps; and reports the impact of rTMS on depression, anxiety and mental health recovery.

Methods

Study design was a pre and post data collection without a control, with twenty-four participants with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Measures used were Fitbit activity and sleep data, and patient-rated Recovering Quality of Life (ReQoL-20), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7).

Results

Response and remission rates were, respectively: 34.8% and 39% for PHQ-9; 34.8% and 47.8% for GAD-7. ReQoL-20 response and reliable improvement were 29.4% and 53%. PHQ-9, GAD-7 and ReQol-20 scores significantly improved, with large effect sizes. Analysis of Fitbit activity and sleep data yielded non-significant results. The Fitbit data machine learning model classified two levels of depression to 82% accuracy.

Limitations

rTMS treatment was open-label and adjunct to existing antidepressant medication. No control group. Female patients were overrepresented.

Conclusions

Improvements on the ReQoL-20 and aspects of sleep and activity indicate the positive impact of rTMS on the individual's real world functioning and quality of life. A wearable activity tracker can provide feedback to patients and clinicians on sleep, physical activity and depression levels. Further research could be undertaken through a sufficiently powered RCT comparing rTMS versus rTMS with use of a Fitbit, its software applications, and sleep and physical activity advice.

Ten years' data of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): A naturalistic, observational study outcome in clinical practice

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is used reliably as an alternative method in the treatment of a number of treatment-resistant psychiatric disorders. However, information about the daily practice is limited. In this article, we aim to report and discuss the 10-years results of a clinic that applies TMS to treatment-resistant psychiatric disorders. This naturalistic study is a retrospective review of data routinely collected from patients undergoing TMS between 2010 and 2020. A total of 284 patients with diagnoses of major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were included in the study. The mean age of the participants was 40.49±12.64 years. In general, when the responses of all patients were examined, 26.1% were evaluated as response, 29.2% as partial response, and 44.7% as inadequate response. It has been determined that MDD responds to treatment better than other disorders. Regardless of the diagnosis, a significant relationship was found between response and age. The multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested that patients with improvement from TMS were less likely to have advanced age and not to have been diagnosed with PTSD. The idea that TMS may be useful for some patients, but not every patient, is supported.

The 2020 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists clinical practice guidelines for mood disorders

OBJECTIVES

To provide advice and guidance regarding the management of mood disorders, derived from scientific evidence and supplemented by expert clinical consensus to formulate s that maximise clinical utility.

METHODS

Articles and information sourced from search engines including PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Google Scholar were supplemented by literature known to the mood disorders committee (e.g. books, book chapters and government reports) and from published depression and bipolar disorder guidelines. Relevant information was appraised and discussed in detail by members of the mood disorders committee, with a view to formulating and developing consensus-based recommendations and clinical guidance. The guidelines were subjected to rigorous consultation and external review involving: expert and clinical advisors, key stakeholders, professional bodies and specialist groups with interest in mood disorders.

RESULTS

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists mood disorders clinical practice guidelines 2020 (MDcpg²⁰²⁰) provide up-to-date guidance regarding the management of mood disorders that is informed by evidence and clinical experience. The guideline is intended for clinical use by psychiatrists, psychologists, primary care physicians and others with an interest in mental health care.

CONCLUSION

The MDcpg²⁰²⁰ builds on the previous 2015 guidelines and maintains its joint focus on both depressive and bipolar disorders. It provides up-to-date recommendations and guidance within an evidence-based framework, supplemented by expert clinical consensus.

MOOD DISORDERS COMMITTEE

Gin S Malhi (Chair), Erica Bell, Darryl Bassett, Philip Boyce, Richard Bryant, Philip Hazell, Malcolm Hopwood, Bill Lyndon, Roger Mulder, Richard Porter, Ajeet B Singh and Greg Murray.

Current clinical practice of electroconvulsive therapy and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in psychiatry, a German sample

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the current clinical practice of Electroconvulsive Therapy and Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in German psychiatry. Case-based data (> 1.000.000 cases) were collected according to §21 of the German hospital remuneration law from January 2015 to December 2017. The study cohort comprises approximately 35-40% of the annual psychiatric cases and hospitals in Germany. Frequency of ECT and rTMS cases were investigated considering main diagnoses according to ICD-10 and treatment settings (inpatient vs. day-care). ECT cases with short-term hospitalization (≤ 4 days) were supposed to be maintenance ECT cases. A linear regression analysis was conducted to estimate trends in the use of ECT and rTMS. Different groups were compared using Chi-square tests. ECT and rTMS cases appear to increase in total during the observation period possibly due to facilities newly introducing ECT and rTMS but also to increased frequency of treatments. Both treatments were rarely performed in day-care settings (0.89% and 11.25%). ECT was performed in 1.72% of all cases with affective disorders and in 1.48% with major depressions, respectively. Age ≥ 65 years, females, severe and psychotic depression were significantly associated with a higher rate of ECT cases. > 40% of all ECT cases were possibly maintenance ECT cases. Only 0.60% of these were performed in day- care settings. rTMS was primarily performed in major depression (86,7% of all rTMS cases). This study suggests a growing demand for ECT and rTMS. Nevertheless, the use of ECT is still low compared to the high prevalence of treatment resistant depression. The use of rTMS is even lower and seems to be restricted to specialized institutions. Maintenance ECT is frequently carried out in an inpatient setting. Limitations of this study are the case- and group-based analysis, missing data on outpatient services and treatment sessions per case. Therefore, the database is not necessarily representative for the entire German healthcare system. Further studies are needed to verify the presented findings and should address the feasibility of ambulatory and day-care ECT services.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for major depression: A naturalistic observational study in an Australian private hospital

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an effective and evidence-based treatment for major depression, which is now as a mainstream treatment in clinical practice. However, there is limited data concerning its use in Australian private psychiatric hospital settings. This retrospective study examined routinely collected data of 153 inpatients, who received 20 rTMS treatments over four weeks. Primary outcomes measures were the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) and the 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). At post-treatment, response and remission rates were 54% and 28%, respectively, for the HAMD-17; and 53% response and 16% remission rates, for the DASS-21 Depression subscale, respectively. Although no gender differences were observed, younger patients demonstrated more improvements during acute rTMS but the effect was not significant after accounting for pre-treatment symptom severity. The findings of this naturalistic study suggest that an acute course of rTMS provided in private clinical settings resulted in similar response and remission rates to longer rTMS courses. Shorter rTMS courses appear to have satisfactory efficacy in treating major depression, in clinically diverse and real-world practice.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for depression: outcomes in a United Kingdom (UK) clinical practice

Objective: The aim of this paper is to present the outcomes data from the largest United Kingdom's (UK) National Health Service (NHS) clinical rTMS service treating treatment resistant depression (TRD). Methods: The study was a retrospective investigation of routinely collected data on patients receiving rTMS between 2015 and 2017. Measures used were the clinician-rated Clinical Global Impression (CGI) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), and patient rated Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The outcome data of 73 patients with TRD were analysed. The sample included patients with co-morbid psychiatric diagnosis. Results: Response and remission rates, respectively, were 40.4% and 25.5% for the HAM-D; 35.6% and 20.8% for the BDI; and 51.1% and 52.1% for the CGI. Effect sizes were medium (0.54, 0.52 and 0.56, respectively). Conclusions: The results show that a UK-based clinical service achieves similar results to those published internationally and that clinical rTMS can have significant impact on symptoms of depression in many patients with TRD. Health services are under pressure to make financial savings, investment in rTMS could reduce the long-term treatment costs associated with TRD.

Characterizing, Assessing, and Treating Cognitive Dysfunction in Major Depressive Disorder

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After participating in this activity, learners should be better able to:• Characterize cognitive dysfunction in patients with major depressive disorder.• Evaluate approaches to treating cognitive dysfunction in patients with major depressive disorder.

ABSTRACT

Cognitive dysfunction is a core psychopathological domain in major depressive disorder (MDD) and is no longer considered to be a pseudo-specific phenomenon. Cognitive dysfunction in MDD is a principal determinant of patient-reported outcomes, which, hitherto, have been insufficiently targeted with existing multimodal treatments for MDD. The neural structures and substructures subserving cognitive function in MDD overlap with, yet are discrete from, those subserving emotion processing and affect regulation. Several modifiable factors influence the presence and extent of cognitive dysfunction in MDD, including clinical features (e.g., episode frequency and illness duration), comorbidity (e.g., obesity and diabetes), and iatrogenic artefact. Screening and measurement tools that comport with the clinical ecosystem are available to detect and measure cognitive function in MDD. Notwithstanding the availability of select antidepressants capable of exerting procognitive effects, most have not been sufficiently studied or rigorously evaluated. Promising pharmacological avenues, as well as psychosocial, behavioral, chronotherapeutic, and complementary alternative approaches, are currently being investigated.

Crossover to Bilateral Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: A Potential Strategy When Patients Are Not Responding to Unilateral Left-Sided High-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Clinical trials using left-sided repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) report remission rates of 14% to 32.6%. A large percentage of patients would not achieve remission with standard rTMS treatment. The question of what clinicians should do when a patient is not responding to standard high-frequency (HF) left-sided rTMS remains unanswered. This prospective case series examines whether crossover to bilateral stimulation enhances antidepressant outcomes in patients not responding to unilateral rTMS. Patients in a major depressive episode received an rTMS clinical protocol of 4 to 6 weeks' duration. Stimulation began with HF rTMS (10 Hz) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (range, 3000-5000 pulses per session). A total of 17 patients without sufficient clinical improvement early in their rTMS course received 1-Hz rTMS (range, 600-1200 pps) over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (added to the HF left-sided stimulation). Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores decreased from 13.9 ± 3.9 (mean ± SD) from the start of augmentation to 12.2 ± 5.8 at the end of acute treatment, a 1.7-point change, Cohen d effect size = -0.35, 95% confidence interval, -1.01 to - 0.34, suggesting improvement. Remission rate in this sample was 24% (4/17). This case series indicates that crossover to bilateral stimulation is a feasible and potentially effective strategy when patients are not improving with standard rTMS. A randomized controlled trial comparing crossover versus standard rTMS is needed to determine the efficacy of this paradigm.

Segregation of salience network predicts treatment response of depression to repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation

Background

The present study tested the hypothesis that network segregation, a graph theoretic measure of functional organization of the brain, is correlated with treatment response in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) undergoing repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS).

Methods

Network segregation, calculated from resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans, was measured in 32 patients with MDD who entered a sham-controlled, double-blinded, randomized trial of rTMS to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and a cohort of 20 healthy controls (HCs). Half of the MDD patients received sham treatment in the blinded phase, followed by active rTMS in the open-label phase. The analyses focused on segregation of the following networks: default mode (DMN), salience (SN), fronto-parietal (FPN), cingulo-opercular (CON), and memory retrieval (MRN).

Results

There was no differential change in network segregation comparing sham to active treatment. However, in the combined group of patients who completed active rTMS treatment (in the blinded plus open-label phases), higher baseline segregation of SN significantly predicted more symptom improvement after rTMS. Compared to HCs at baseline, MDD patients showed decreased segregation in DMN, and trend-level decreases in SN and MRN.

Conclusion

The results highlight the importance of network segregation in MDD, particularly in the SN, where more normal baseline segregation of SN may predict better treatment response to rTMS in depression.

•

We examined network segregation in a cohort of MDD patients receiving rTMS treatment.

•

More normal segregation of SN predicted better response of depression to rTMS.

•

Patients with MDD had decreased network segregation in DMN.

Clinical Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Bipolar Disorder

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is being investigated for psychiatric disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and both phases of bipolar disorder. Case series, open trials, and randomized controlled studies have demonstrated preliminary support for treating PTSD with rTMS alone as well as with rTMS combined with psychotherapy. Similarly, there is some evidence that GAD can be treated with rTMS. The results for treating either phase of bipolar disorder are mixed with most of the current studies showing lack of benefit over sham. Further study is required before rTMS can be recommended for these disorders.

Changes in brain connectivity during a sham-controlled, transcranial magnetic stimulation trial for depression

BACKGROUND

The subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC) has been implicated in major depressive disorder (MDD), and this study evaluated sgACC connectivity before and after repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) treatment.

METHODS

Thirty-two MDD patients entered a sham-controlled, double-blinded, randomized trial of rTMS to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlFPC). Subjects underwent resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging before and after 20 sessions of high frequency rTMS. Seed voxels identified the affective network (AN; sgACC, amygdala), default mode network (DMN; posterior cingulate cortex [PCC]), and fronto-parietal network (FPN; dlPFC stimulation site).

RESULTS

There was no significant effect of active rTMS over sham on the primary outcome measure (Montgomery-Asberg Depression Scale rating), with both groups improving over time, and no specific effect of rTMS (sham vs active) on connectivity. However, among patients who showed significant improvement, sgACC connectivity decreased for sham (to AN, trend to DMN) and active rTMS responders (to AN, DMN, FPN), but not in non-responders, who tended to maintain connectivity. Including subjects who started with sham but then received open-label active treatment, baseline connectivity from the PCC to the anterior insula was greater in non-responders compared to responders (n = 27, excluding 5 sham responders).

LIMITATIONS

The sample size was small; the stimulation target was non-standard, and the lack of a significant clinical effect of rTMS limits conclusions about negative findings.

CONCLUSIONS

sgACC connectivity reduces along with depressive symptoms, not specific to rTMS therapy. Altered connectivity of DMN with anterior insula may reflect a type of patient less likely to respond to an intervention.

Help Others and Yourself Eventually: Exploring the Relationship between Help-Giving and Employee Creativity under the Model of Perspective Taking

Although a plethora of studies have examined the antecedents of creativity, empirical studies exploring the role of individual behaviors in relation to creativity are relatively scarce. Drawing on the model of perspective taking, this study examines the relationship between help-giving during creative problem solving process and employee creativity. Specifically, we test perspective taking as an explanatory mechanism and propose organization-based self-esteem as the moderator. In a sample collected from a field survey of 247 supervisor-subordinate dyads from 2 large organizations in China at 3 time points, we find that help-giving during creative problem solving process positively related with perspective taking; perspective taking positively related with employees’ creativity; employees’ organization-based self-esteem strengthened the link between perspective taking and creativity; besides, there existed a moderated mediation effect. We conclude this paper with discussions on the implications for theory, research, and practice.