Rostral anterior cingulate cortex is a structural correlate of repetitive TMS treatment response in depression.

TitleRostral anterior cingulate cortex is a structural correlate of repetitive TMS treatment response in depression.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2018
AuthorsBoes AD, Uitermarkt BD, Albazron FM, Lan MJ, Liston C, Pascual-Leone A, Dubin MJ, Fox MD
JournalBrain Stimul
Volume11
Issue3
Pagination575-581
Date Published2018 May - Jun
ISSN1876-4754
KeywordsDepressive Disorder, Major, Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant, Female, Gyrus Cinguli, Humans, Hypertrophy, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Middle Aged, Neuroimaging, Prefrontal Cortex, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Treatment Outcome
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an effective treatment for medication-refractory major depression, yet the mechanisms of action for this intervention are poorly understood. Here we investigate cerebral cortex thickness as a possible biomarker of rTMS treatment response.

METHODS: Longitudinal change in cortical thickness is evaluated relative to clinical outcomes across 48 participants in 2 cohorts undergoing left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex rTMS as a treatment for depression.

RESULTS: Our results reveal changes in thickness in a region of the left rostral anterior cingulate cortex that correlate with clinical response, with this region becoming thicker in patients who respond favorably to rTMS and thinner in patients with a less favorable response. Moreover, the baseline cortical thickness in this region correlates with rTMS treatment response - those patients with thinner cortex before treatment tended to have the most clinical improvement.

CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first analysis of longitudinal cortical thickness change with rTMS as a treatment for depression with similar results across two cohorts. These results support further investigation into the use of structural MRI as a possible biomarker of rTMS treatment response.

DOI10.1016/j.brs.2018.01.029
Alternate JournalBrain Stimul
PubMed ID29454551
PubMed Central IDPMC6136654
Grant ListR01 MH100186 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R25 NS065743 / NS / NINDS NIH HHS / United States
R21 NS085491 / NS / NINDS NIH HHS / United States
K23 NS083741 / NS / NINDS NIH HHS / United States
K12 HD027748 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH113929 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R01 NS073601 / NS / NINDS NIH HHS / United States
K12 NS098482 / NS / NINDS NIH HHS / United States
R21 MH099196 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R01 HD069776 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States
UL1 RR025758 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States