Rostral anterior cingulate cortex is a structural correlate of repetitive TMS treatment response in depression
Aaron D Boes1, Brandt D Uitermarkt1, Fatimah M Albazron1
1Neuroimaging & Noninvasive Brain Stimulation Laboratory, Departments of Pediatrics, Neurology & Psychiatry, W 278 General Hospital, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
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.
Related Concept Videos
Long-term Depression
Long-term Depression
Calcium Ion Concentration Mechanism
If over...
Correlations
Correlation and Causation
Correlation versus Causation
If the dependent variable increases or decreases when the independent variable increases, there is a positive or negative...
Freezing Point Depression and Boiling Point Elevation
The boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which its vapor pressure is equal to ambient atmospheric pressure. Since the vapor pressure of a solution is lowered due to the presence of nonvolatile solutes, it stands to reason that the solution’s boiling point will subsequently be increased. Vapor pressure increases with temperature, and so a solution will require a higher temperature than will pure solvent to achieve any given vapor pressure, including one...
Depressants
Alcohol is a common depressant that can induce a sense of relaxation and reduced inhibition at low doses. Contrary to its occasional...


