Posted by LostBoyinNC1 on June 26, 2002, at 0:51:16
In reply to rTMS, posted by Bob on June 25, 2002, at 2:17:08
> Has anyone heard of any developments lately concerning rTMS? I was wondering if the medical community has given up on it, or whether it is showing promise?
>
> Last I heard it didn't show any benefit beyond short term transient response. However, a friend of mine directed me to an article on msnbc.com which reported on rTMS as if it was a new treatment, or at least showing new promise. Are they just out of it, or what?
>
> http://www.msnbc.com/news/767738.aspI had rTMS back in 1999. I was in those early rTMS clinical trials when rTMS was being hyped as a possible "replacement" for ECT in severe refractory depression. Fat chance of that. I found rTMS did have antidepressant qualities, but it was transient and didnt last but a few hours after each treatment. Basically the rule of thumb to go by is if it doesnt cause a grand mal seizure, its about worthless for treating severe mood disorders. Thats what ECT does is cause a grand mal seizure. No seizure and no good antidepressant effect.
Now, these same researchers who are pioneering rTMS are experimenting with using rTMS to intentionally induce grand mal seizures. Its called "MST" or "Magnetic Stimulation Therapy" and again, its going to be hyped as a possible replacement for ECT. With a better memory loss side effect profile.
I even have my old rTMS consent form in front of me and I will read off to you what it says.
"Possible Benefits of rTMS: It is unclear what benefits I might receive for participating in the study. Some previous depressed subjects in other studies have had short term (weeks to days) improvements in mood with their depression symptoms becoming less severe or even disappearing. All previous studies have found that, even when mood improvement occurs, it does not persist long after magnetic stimulation is stopped. So it will be important for me to continue conventional therapies (medications) after this study is copleted, regardless of my response or non-response.
The results of this study will help determine if magnetic stimulation is an effective antidepressant. This may help better understand the brain basis of depression and potentially pave the way for new treatments."
Max Fink is right. If it doesnt cause a grand mal seizure, its worthless.
poster:LostBoyinNC1
thread:110675
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020617/msgs/110774.html