Slow magnetic stimulation of prefrontal, cortex in depression and schizophrenia

1 The authors used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of pre-frontal cortex to study mood changes in 10 depressed patients and 10 schizophrenic patients. 2 A slow rate of stimuli was used, one per 30 seconds; maximal intensity of about 2 Tesla was given for 30 stimuli, 15 on each side of the brain. 3 No side effects were seen and at least three depressed patients and two schizophrenic patients appeared to improve, at least transiently. 4 These results suggest that rapid rate TMS may not be necessary to elicit mood effects.