PC012 / #460 Multimodal Effects Of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation On Patients With Major Depression And Vascular Depression: A Pilot Study

The antidepressant potential of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is widely recognized [1], whereas the impact on the neurotrophins involved in major depression (MD) and vascular depression (VD) has not been fully investigated yet [2-3]. We evaluated the effect of rTMS on mood, cognition, neurotrophic factors, motor evoked potentials (MEPs) to TMS, and cerebral blood flow (CBF) to transcranial doppler (TCD) in a pilot series of MD and VD patients. Improvement in mood and cognitive scores were observed after rTMS and persisted for at least 3 months. MEP amplitude increased and cortical silent period shortened. A bilateral increase in CBF was observed. BDNF and VEGF showed the largest variation in MD patients, whereas ANG and IGF-1 in those with VD; NGF did not change significantly. we confirmed the positive effects on mood and cognition of HF-rTMS, supported by multimodal evidence, thus suggesting a pleiotropic effect of rTMS. However, the suitability of each marker as an index of outcome measure or neuromodulatory factor requires further understanding.