Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 11, 2025
Treating Clinical Depression with Repetitive Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Using the Brainsway H1-coil
Published on: October 4, 2016
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for geriatric depression.
Davide Cappon1, Tim den Boer2, Caleb Jordan3
1Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, MA, USA; Deanna and Sidney Wolk Center for Memory Health, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) shows variable efficacy for geriatric depression (GD). Optimizing TMS protocols for the aging brain is crucial for effective treatment of treatment-resistant depression in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Geriatric Psychiatry
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Geriatric depression (GD) often presents as treatment-resistant, necessitating interventions that preserve cognition and manage polypharmacy.
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is effective for younger adults but its efficacy in older adults with depression remains unclear.
- This review examines TMS efficacy for GD, considering methodological variations and brain aging factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an updated review on the efficacy of TMS for geriatric depression (GD).
- To discuss methodological differences in TMS trials for GD.
- To explore optimization strategies for TMS in the aging brain.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review of published literature was conducted.
- Searches included PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO for English articles up to March 2021.
- Included studies comprised seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and seven uncontrolled trials.
Main Results:
- Seven RCTs (n=260) and seven uncontrolled trials (n=160) were analyzed.
- Clinical response rates in the reviewed studies varied significantly, ranging from 6.7% to 54.3%.
- Substantial heterogeneity was observed in TMS dosage and clinical efficacy across studies.
Conclusions:
- Heterogeneity in TMS dosage and efficacy necessitates protocol optimization for GD.
- Recognizing unique clinical features of GD is key to improving TMS treatment.
- Novel approaches and a standardized TMS protocol for GD are proposed.
