Rapid transcranial magnetic stimulation and normalization of the dexamethasone suppression test.
Non-suppression of post-dexamethasone cortisol is a feature of endogenous/melancholic depression. Normalization of the dexamethasone suppresion test (DST) response is a feature of remission and antidepressant treatment. Twelve consecutive depressed non-suppressers were treated with rapid transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). Six demonstrated normalization and good clinical improvement which was sustained for at least 1 month. Thus, rTMS has some biological effects in common with other antidepressant treatments.
Pridmore
S
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Department of Psychological Medicine, Royal Hobart Hospital, Tasmania, Australia. s.pridmore@utas.edu.au
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D003907:Dexamethasone; D003940:Diagnostic Techniques, Endocrine; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012074:Remission Induction
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone