title: Magnetic Seizure Therapy for Unipolar and Bipolar Depression: A Systematic Review.
abstract: Objective. Magnetic seizure therapy (MST) is a novel, experimental therapeutic intervention, which combines therapeutic aspects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and transcranial magnetic stimulation, in order to achieve the efficacy of the former with the safety of the latter. MST might prove to be a valuable tool in the treatment of mood disorders, such as major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder. Our aim is to review current literature on MST. Methods. OVID and MEDLINE databases were used to systematically search for clinical studies on MST. The terms "magnetic seizure therapy," "depression," and "bipolar" were employed. Results. Out of 74 studies, 8 met eligibility criteria. There was considerable variability in the methods employed and samples sizes were small, limiting the generalization of the results. All studies focused on depressive episodes, but few included patients with bipolar disorder. The studies found reported significant antidepressant effects, with remission rates ranging from 30% to 40%. No significant cognitive side effects related to MST were found, with a better cognitive profile when compared to ECT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MST was effective in reducing depressive symptoms in mood disorders, with generally less side effects than ECT. No study focused on comparing MST to ECT on bipolar depression specifically.
authors.affiliation: Service of Electroconvulsive Therapy, Department and Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo, Dr. Ovídio Pires de Campos Street 785, 05403-903 São Paulo, SP, Brazil ; Bipolar Disorder Research Program, Department and Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo, Dr. Ovídio Pires de Campos Street 785, 05403-903 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cretaz
authors.affiliation: Service of Interdisciplinary Neuromodulation (SIN), Laboratory of Neurosciences (LIM-27), Department and Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo, Dr. Ovídio Pires de Campos Street 785, 05403-903 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: André R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Brunoni
authors.affiliation: Bipolar Disorder Research Program, Department and Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo, Dr. Ovídio Pires de Campos Street 785, 05403-903 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Beny
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6132-9999
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lafer
mesh_terms: D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D012640:Seizures / Q000503:physiopathology*; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome