Fractional anisotropy changes after several weeks of daily left high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the prefrontal cortex to treat major depression.
OBJECTIVE
As part of a sham controlled treatment trial using daily left repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), brain changes associated with 4 to 6 weeks of treatment were examined using diffusion tensor imaging to noninvasively evaluate prefrontal white matter (WM) microstructure. A decrease in fractional anisotropy values of the left prefrontal WM could indicate damage to the region.


METHODS
Diffusion tensor imaging was performed before and after 4 to 6 weeks of daily rTMS treatments. Mean fractional anisotropy levels associated with active rTMS and sham rTMS for the right and left prefrontal WM were assessed.


RESULTS
Adequate images were acquired for 8 participants (active n = 4, sham n = 4) before and after rTMS. A mean increase was found for the left prefrontal WM. The mixed model revealed a trend toward a significant treatment group × region interaction effect (P = 0.11). Furthermore, simple region effects (left prefrontal WM vs right prefrontal WM) were at a trend toward significance for difference after treatment within the active rTMS group (P = 0.07), but not within the sham rTMS group (P = 0.88).


CONCLUSIONS
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation resulted in no evidence of damage to WM on the side of stimulation. Diffusion tensor imaging may offer a unique modality to increase our understanding of mechanisms of action for rTMS.
Kozel
F Andrew
FA
Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA. Andrew.Kozel@utsouthwestern.edu
Johnson
Kevin A
KA
Nahas
Ziad
Z
Nakonezny
Paul A
PA
Morgan
Paul S
PS
Anderson
Berry S
BS
Kose
Samet
S
Li
Xingbao
X
Lim
Kelvin O
KO
Trivedi
Madhukar H
MH
George
Mark S
MS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016880:Anisotropy; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation