[Treatment of depression with transcranial magnetic stimulation]

Major depression disorder is a frequent psychiatric condition with serious consequences. Many patients don't respond to usual psychopharmacological and/or psychotherapeutic treatments. This observation has stimulated the research of alternative treatment options. Repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a recent therapeutic tool with few side effects. Its efficacy relies on stimulation of cortical networks through the application of a magnetic field on the skull. rTMS has been approved as a full therapeutic option for major depressive disorder by the FDA in 2008. It could therefore be routinely used in the future and complete the usual treatments in this condition. Our paper reviews what is currently known about the clinical use of rTMS in major depressive disorder.