Journal: Neuroscience Letters563:144-8(2014)
Authors: A McGirr, F Van den Eynde, E.C Chachamovich, M.P.A Fleck, M.T Berlim
Prognostication is poor in repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD). Personality traits, particularly extraversion and neuroticism, have attracted increasing attention for both trait-and state-dependent characteristics in predicting response to pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, and more recently to therapeutic neuromodulation for MDD. The advent of deep rTMS (Deep TMS™) allows stimulation of deeper cortical regions.
This study aimed to prospectively characterize personality dimensions and antidepressant response to Deep TMS in treatment-resistant MDD.
A convenience sample of 15 patients with treatment-resistant MDD received four weeks of daily sessions of Deep TMS (20 Hz, 3000 pulses/session) of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLFPC). At baseline and at the conclusion of treatment, patients completed the Big Five Inventory a five-factor assessment of major personality dimensions. Clinical response was measured using the 21-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale.
Four weeks of Deep TMS treatment were not associated with changes in personality measures. Clinical remission was associated with higher baseline levels of agreeableness (score ≥29:100% sensitive and 72.7% specific) and conscientiousness (score ≥30:75% sensitive and 81.8% specific). Levels of agreeableness and extra version were linearly associated with antidepressant response. Neuroticism was not associated with the antidepressant effects of Deep TMS in this cohort.
Five-factor personality assessment may have prognostic value in Deep TMS for resistant MDD. Agreeableness, extra version, and conscientiousness are associated with decreases in depressive symptoms during treatment with Deep TMS.
