Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 14, 2026
Conventional Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Depression: A Step-by-Step Protocol
Published on: November 21, 2025
Effects of smoking status and MADRS retardation factor on response to low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic
E Poulet1, F Galvao2, E Haffen3
1Inserm, U1028, CNRS, UMR5292, Lyon neuroscience research center, ΨR2 Team, université de Lyon, 69000 Lyon, France; University Lyon 1, 69000 Villeurbanne, France; Centre hospitalier Le Vinatier, 69678 Bron, France; Service de psychiatrie des urgences, hôpital Édouard-Herriot, CHU de Lyon, 69000 Lyon, France.
Background:
Despite growing evidence supporting the clinical interest of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in treatment-resistant depression (TRD), little is known regarding the effects of clinical and sociodemographic factors on the clinical outcome in patients.
Methods:
We retrospectively investigated the effects of clinical (using the 3-factor model of the Montgomery-Åsberg depression rating scale [MADRS] encompassing dysphoria, retardation and vegetative symptoms) and sociodemographic characteristics of participants on clinical outcome in a sample of 54 TRD patients receiving low frequency rTMS (1Hz, 360 pulses) applied over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex combined with sham venlafaxine.
Results:
Responders (n=29) displayed lower retardation baseline scores (13.6±2.9) than non-responders (15.6±2.9; n=25; P=0.02). We also observed a significant difference between the numbers of ex-smokers in responders and non-responders groups; all ex-smokers (n=8) were responders to rTMS (P=0.005).
Conclusion:
Low MADRS retardation factor and ex-smoker status is highly prevalent in responders to low frequency rTMS. Further studies are needed to investigate the predictive value of these factors.
