Low-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in the Right Prefrontal Cortex Combined With Partial Sleep Deprivation in Treatment-Resistant Depression

Sham-controlled low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) was used in patients with pharmacoresistant major depression as an added treatment along with partial sleep deprivation (PSD). In addition, the potential predictive role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor genetic polymorphism on treatment response was analyzed.We recruited 19 female patients (48.3 ± 8.6 years old) with treatment-resistant unipolar major depression (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale [HDRS] score ≥20) who were on a stable antidepressant treatment. They received either 1-Hz rTMS or sham stimulation over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (intensity of 110% of the threshold; 3000 stimuli per protocol; and 10 daily sessions). Additionally, PSD was applied once per week during the treatment. The patients were evaluated (HDRS and Clinical Global Impression Scale) by a blind rater at baseline (B) and after 2 and 3 weeks (W2 and W3) of treatment for short-term outcome. Long-term evaluations were performed after 12 (W12) and 24 weeks (W24) for patients who received active stimulation.Eleven patients in the active group showed a significant HDRS score reduction from 30.09 ± 3.53 (B) to 16.73 ± 5.71 (W3) compared to the lack of therapeutic response in the sham-treated patients. The long-term follow-up for the active group included 64% of the responders at W12 and 55% at W24. Full remission (HDRS ≤10) was achieved in 5 of 11 patients. Four of these 5 patients with long-term sustained remission expressed the Val66Val genotype.Our study suggests a clinically relevant response, persisting for up to 6 months, from 1-Hz rTMS over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and PSD in patients with pharmacoresistant major depression. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor Val66Val homozygous genotype may be related to a better treatment outcome.