Adapting Stanford Neuromodulation Therapy (SNT) for clinical feasibility: Rationale and results of a small case series

Background: Developments regarding technical aspects of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) have been linked to better results in medication-resistant depression treatment. An intermittent theta-burst (iTBS) rTMS protocol optimized for these findings, namely the Stanford Neuromodulat...

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Main Authors: Rodrigo C. Marques, Déborah Marques, Larissa Vieira
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2022-12-01
Series:Journal of Affective Disorders Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266691532200141X
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author Rodrigo C. Marques
Déborah Marques
Larissa Vieira
author_facet Rodrigo C. Marques
Déborah Marques
Larissa Vieira
author_sort Rodrigo C. Marques
collection DOAJ
description Background: Developments regarding technical aspects of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) have been linked to better results in medication-resistant depression treatment. An intermittent theta-burst (iTBS) rTMS protocol optimized for these findings, namely the Stanford Neuromodulation Therapy, has in fact shown encouraging results in trials. Nonetheless, higher operational costs and reduced feasibility in average clinical settings may deter its applicability and overall reproducibility. Particularly, the need for personalized functional connectivity studies for neuronavigation guidance and greater logistic and patient-related requirements for conducting 10 daily sessions may be challenging. We report the results of an adapted accelerated iTBS protocol with fewer daily sessions and simpler target obtention method. Methods: Four patients in a severe, refractory depressive episode received five daily iTBS sessions (1800 pulses/session) spaced by 50 min, five days a week, for two weeks. Neuronavigated coil positioning used individualized neuroanatomic space but was targeted at a previously reported population-based left dorsolateral prefrontal–subgenual cingulate cortex peak anticorrelation coordinate (−38, 44, 26). Assessments were performed at baseline, at the end of 50 sessions and at two-week follow-up. Results: At follow-up, three patients were responders and two had reached remission. Considering the whole sample, depression measures showed a 56.9% reduction, with a median decrease of 14.5 points on the PHQ-9. Limitations: Uncontrolled study with a very small sample and short follow up time. Conclusions: The proposed intervention was feasible in a clinical practice setting, being well tolerated by patients and achieving a 3/4 response and 2/4 remission rates.
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spelling doaj.art-220634b747564d4a8e13d6ad4532a2c02022-12-22T04:37:49ZengElsevierJournal of Affective Disorders Reports2666-91532022-12-0110100449Adapting Stanford Neuromodulation Therapy (SNT) for clinical feasibility: Rationale and results of a small case seriesRodrigo C. Marques0Déborah Marques1Larissa Vieira2Singular - Psychiatry and Neuromodulation Clinic, 636/sl 204, Pina, Recife, Pernambuco 51011-050, Brazil; Neuropsychiatry Department, Medical Sciences Center, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, BrazilSingular - Psychiatry and Neuromodulation Clinic, 636/sl 204, Pina, Recife, Pernambuco 51011-050, Brazil; Corresponding author.Singular - Psychiatry and Neuromodulation Clinic, 636/sl 204, Pina, Recife, Pernambuco 51011-050, Brazil; Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Postgraduate Program, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, BrazilBackground: Developments regarding technical aspects of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) have been linked to better results in medication-resistant depression treatment. An intermittent theta-burst (iTBS) rTMS protocol optimized for these findings, namely the Stanford Neuromodulation Therapy, has in fact shown encouraging results in trials. Nonetheless, higher operational costs and reduced feasibility in average clinical settings may deter its applicability and overall reproducibility. Particularly, the need for personalized functional connectivity studies for neuronavigation guidance and greater logistic and patient-related requirements for conducting 10 daily sessions may be challenging. We report the results of an adapted accelerated iTBS protocol with fewer daily sessions and simpler target obtention method. Methods: Four patients in a severe, refractory depressive episode received five daily iTBS sessions (1800 pulses/session) spaced by 50 min, five days a week, for two weeks. Neuronavigated coil positioning used individualized neuroanatomic space but was targeted at a previously reported population-based left dorsolateral prefrontal–subgenual cingulate cortex peak anticorrelation coordinate (−38, 44, 26). Assessments were performed at baseline, at the end of 50 sessions and at two-week follow-up. Results: At follow-up, three patients were responders and two had reached remission. Considering the whole sample, depression measures showed a 56.9% reduction, with a median decrease of 14.5 points on the PHQ-9. Limitations: Uncontrolled study with a very small sample and short follow up time. Conclusions: The proposed intervention was feasible in a clinical practice setting, being well tolerated by patients and achieving a 3/4 response and 2/4 remission rates.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266691532200141XTranscranial magnetic stimulationIntermittent theta-burstFunctional connectivityAcceleratedNeuronavigationDepression
spellingShingle Rodrigo C. Marques
Déborah Marques
Larissa Vieira
Adapting Stanford Neuromodulation Therapy (SNT) for clinical feasibility: Rationale and results of a small case series
Journal of Affective Disorders Reports
Transcranial magnetic stimulation
Intermittent theta-burst
Functional connectivity
Accelerated
Neuronavigation
Depression
title Adapting Stanford Neuromodulation Therapy (SNT) for clinical feasibility: Rationale and results of a small case series
title_full Adapting Stanford Neuromodulation Therapy (SNT) for clinical feasibility: Rationale and results of a small case series
title_fullStr Adapting Stanford Neuromodulation Therapy (SNT) for clinical feasibility: Rationale and results of a small case series
title_full_unstemmed Adapting Stanford Neuromodulation Therapy (SNT) for clinical feasibility: Rationale and results of a small case series
title_short Adapting Stanford Neuromodulation Therapy (SNT) for clinical feasibility: Rationale and results of a small case series
title_sort adapting stanford neuromodulation therapy snt for clinical feasibility rationale and results of a small case series
topic Transcranial magnetic stimulation
Intermittent theta-burst
Functional connectivity
Accelerated
Neuronavigation
Depression
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266691532200141X
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