TMS of Medial Prefrontal Cortex Effective for Major Depressive Disorder

Targeting the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is equally effective as TMS treatment of the lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) in individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD), according to a study published in JCI Insight. Researchers found no statistically significant differences in treatment response rates, remission rates, or adverse effects between the two groups in the study: those receiving TMS targeting MPFC and those receiving TMS targeting LPFC.

In this prospective multicenter randomized study (NCT03012724), researchers enlisted 169 participants with MDD who were randomized to receive either 24 TMS treatments targeting the MPFC (using the Deep TMS H7 Coil; Brainsway, Burlington, MA, and Jersualem, Israel) or 24 TMS treatments targeting the LPFC (using the Deep TMS H1 Coil; Brainsway, Burlington, MD, and Jerusalem, Israel). The study’s primary endpoint was change from baseline to week 6 in scores on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 21-item version. Results showed a treatment response rate of 60.9% for the H1 Coil and 64.2% for the H7 Coil, along with overall improvements in other secondary endpoints including quality of life scales (Q-Les-Q), daily functioning score (GAF), and clinical and patient global impression improvement (CGI-I, PGI-I, respectively).  

On August 29, 2022, the Food and Drug Administration provided 510(k) clearance for the Deep TMS H7 Coil based upon these study results for the treatment of individuals with MDD and anxious depression.