title: Cognitive correlates of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in treatment-resistant depression--a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the current study was to investigate the cognitive correlates of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in 10 treatment-resistant depression patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients received forty 20-min sessions of fast-frequency (10 Hz) rTMS of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) over 20 days. Concept-shift ability (accuracy and duration of performance) was assessed daily with a Modified Concept-Shifting Task (mCST) in patients and in eight healthy volunteers. General cognitive functioning test (Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status; RBANS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) were applied before the first and after the last rTMS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to before rTMS on the first 10 days, the patients performed the mCST significantly more accurately after rTMS on the last 10 days (p < .001, partial eta squared=.78) while the same comparison in healthy volunteers was not statistically significant (p = .256, partial eta squared=.18). A significant improvement in immediate memory on RBANS and reduction in BDI and HAM-D scores were also observed after the last compared to before the first rTMS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The rTMS is associated with an improvement in selective cognitive functions that is not explained by practice effects on tasks administered repeatedly.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Name: "Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) in the treatment of depression, assessed with HAM-D over a four week period."URL: www.actr.org.au
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ACTRN012605000145606.
authors.affiliation: School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Jacobs University Bremen, Campus Ring 1, Bremen, 28759, Germany. kkedzior@graduate.uwa.edu.au
authors.forename: Karina K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Kedzior
authors.forename: Vikram
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rajput
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Mathew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martin-Iverson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D061218:Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult