Transcranial magnetic stimulation for the deficit syndrome of schizophrenia: a pilot investigation
Perminder Sachdev, Colleen Loo, Philip Mitchell, Gin Malhi, Perminder Sachdev, Colleen Loo, Philip Mitchell, Gin Malhi
Abstract
In an open study, four subjects with a stable deficit syndrome of schizophrenia received high frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (15 Hz at 90% of motor threshold, 1800 pulses each session, daily for 20 sessions over 4 weeks) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Subjects showed a significant reduction in negative symptoms and improvement in function, with no change in positive symptoms. This improvement was maintained at the 1 month follow up. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation as a treatment of the deficit syndrome of schizophrenia is feasible, safe and may be beneficial. A systematic study in randomized control trials would be appropriate.
Source: PubMed