Psychotropic Medication and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

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Update on Psychotropic Medication Used Concurrently With Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Abstract

Background. Rapid transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a new technology which holds promise as a treatment in psychiatry. An electromagnet applied to the scalp is used to cause depolarisation of cortical cells. There has been concern that concurrent psychotropic medications, which lower seizure threshold, may increase the risk of seizure during rTMS treatment.

Objective. To examine the incidence of headache and seizure among patients concurrently treated with psychotropic medication and rTMS at our hospital.

Results. 82 patients received 986 treatments. 14 patients were receiving both an antidepressant and an antipsychotic medication. There were no seizures. 24% experienced headache on some occasion during treatment, and 10% took a mild analgesic for headache on some occasion during treatment.

Conclusion. While caution is still necessary, this study shows that it is possible to provide rTMS to patients receiving antidepressants and antipsychotic medications without causing seizure.

_________________________________________________________________

(German J Psychiatry 1999; 2: 46-59)

Key words: transcranial magnetic stimulation, seizures

Received: 16.9.99

Published: Oct. 15, 1999

German Journal of Psychiatry

ISSN 1433-1055

Yvonne Turnier-Shea¹, Marzena Rybak¹, Phil Reid¹, Saxby Pridmore^1,2

1Department of Psychological Medicine, Royal Hobart Hospital

²Discipline of Psychiatry, University of Tasmania

Corresponding Author: Prof. S Pridmore, Department of Psychological Medicine, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 7000.

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