Pico-Tesla Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Depression Patients with Double Blind Experimental Design

Authors: P Anninos^1*, A Adamopoulos¹, A Kotini¹ and N Tsagas²

DOI: 10.23880/nnoaj-16000112

Volume 2, Issue 1

Abstract

Aim: We used a whole-head 122 channel magneto encephalography system and a double-blind experimental design to patients with depression.

Methods: The participants were 10 patients with depression (3 male, 7 female) ranging from 25-40 years of age. The pT-TMS was applied to the above patients with magnetic field amplitude (1-7.5pT) and frequency (8-13Hz). Each patient had two separate recording sessions consisting of 3 runs in which we gave real or sham pT-TMS. We then tried to predict the real and sham stimulation sessions based on the changes in the mean peak frequency difference in the 2-7Hz band observed in the patients' brain.

Results: After unblinding a significant effect was observed with an increase of frequencies in the range of 2-7 Hz across the subjects followed by a substantial mood improvement and normalization of the MEG. A majority of the patients reported benefit from the pT-TMS treatment the results were statistically significant at 4 out of 10 patients (40 %).

Conclusion: A generally accepted method that would present the highest efficacy, with the greatest acceptability for the depressed patients has not been established yet. This method of the pT-TMS has the potential to be a significant non invasive, secure and valuable means in the managing of patients with depression.

Keywords:

MEG; pT-TMS; Depression; Double-blind experiment

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