Transcranial magnetic stimulation in adolescent depression.
OBJECTIVE
There are few safe and effective biological treatments for major depression in adolescents. We aimed to report the use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) as a treatment for adolescents with this condition.


METHODS
The first two subjects in a double-blind, sham-controlled trial of rTMS that is evaluating the efficacy and safety of rTMS in depressed adolescents are described. Clinical response was assessed at baseline and at the end of each week. The following scales were used: Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale, Clinical Global Impression-Severity Scale, Beck Depression Inventory and Centre for Epidemiological Studies - Depression - Child Scale. A battery of cognitive tests was also used at several intervals to measure potential change in neuropsychological functioning.


RESULTS
Random allocation of both subjects was to active treatment. Both subjects improved to a clinically significant degree with rTMS treatment and reported no adverse effects. Neuropsychological testing did not demonstrate any deterioration in the domains of functioning tested.


CONCLUSIONS
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation shows early promise as a treatment for major depression in adolescents. Well-designed, sham-controlled studies are now indicated to test the efficacy and safety of rTMS in these patients.
Loo
Colleen
C
School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Australia. colleen.loo@unsw.edu.au
McFarquhar
Tara
T
Walter
Garry
G
D000293:Adolescent; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*