Stereotaxic rTMS for the treatment of auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia.
Auditory verbal hallucinations in schizophrenia may be due to dysfunctional inner speech-related cortical areas. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been reported to be an effective treatment of hallucinations. In a cross-over sham controlled study, we guided rTMS stereotactically to inner speech-related cortical areas in hallucinating patients. These areas were identified individually prior to rTMS using fMRI in a subgroup of our patients. Active stimulation was applied over Broca's area and over the superior temporal gyrus as determined by fMRI, or according to structural images in the remaining patients. rTMS did not lead to a significant reduction of hallucination severity. Conclusively, rTMS has to be regarded critically as a possible novel tool for the treatment of hallucinations.
Schönfeldt-Lecuona
Carlos
C
Departments of Psychiatry III, University of Ulm, Leimgrubenweg 12-14, D-89075 Ulm, Germany.
Grön
Georg
G
Walter
Henrik
H
Büchler
Nicole
N
Wunderlich
Arthur
A
Spitzer
Manfred
M
Herwig
Uwe
U
D000328:Adult; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000528:radiation effects; D006179:Gyrus Cinguli / Q000098:blood supply; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008280:Magnetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications*