Display Settings:

Format

Send to:

Choose Destination
We are sorry, but NCBI web applications do not support your browser and may not function properly. More information
    J ECT. 2006 Mar;22(1):49-53.

    Tolerability and safety of high daily doses of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in healthy young men.

    Source

    Brain Stimulation Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, 29425, USA. andersob@musc.edu

    Abstract

    Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an experimental technology that involves a powerful magnetic pulse applied to the scalp, which is sufficient to cause neuronal depolarization. Transcranial magnetic stimulation has been used in treatment studies for psychiatric disorders, primarily unipolar depression, and as a tool to map brain function. Although thousands of rTMS sessions have been given with few side effects, rTMS can produce serious adverse effects such as an unintended seizure. Safety guidelines for frequency, duration, and intensity of rTMS have aided in the prevention of such adverse side effects. However, the total dose (number of stimuli) able to be delivered safely to human subjects within a day or within a week has not been established. For example, previous rTMS studies as a treatment for depression consisted of delivering 800 to 3,000 magnetic pulses per day, with 8000 to 30,000 magnetic pulses over 2 to 3 weeks. This study examined whether high doses of rTMS within a day or over a week would produce significant side effects. As part of a study to examine rTMS effects in sleep deprivation, we exposed healthy men to 12,960 magnetic pulses a day for up to 3 days in 1 week. This equals 38,880 magnetic pulses over 1 week, which is likely one of the largest exposures of TMS to date. Despite this intense treatment regimen, we failed to produce significant side effects. Doses of up to 12,960 pulses per day appear safe and tolerable in healthy young men.

    PMID:
    16633208
    [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

      Supplemental Content

      Icon for Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

      Save items

      Recent activity

      Your browsing activity is empty.

      Activity recording is turned off.

      Turn recording back on

      See more...
      Write to the Help Desk