Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 30, 2026
MRI-guided dmPFC-rTMS as a Treatment for Treatment-resistant Major Depressive Disorder
Published on: August 11, 2015
Intermittent tetraburst stimulation combined with transcranial direct current stimulation once weekly for
Pakorn Wivatvongvana1, Chutimon Soonthornthum2, Kittipong Kitisak2
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand. pwivatvo@gmail.com.
Background:
Single-time non-invasive brain stimulation was carried out using the two-technique approach on a patient suffering from treatment-resistant depression. Five treatment sessions given at weekly intervals resulted in a significant improvement in the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score for up to 6 weeks. The findings of this study could pave the way for a more efficient less resource-intensive time- and budget-saving technique of employing non-invasive brain stimulation for patients with treatment-resistant depression by minimizing the number of stimulation sessions.
Case Presentation:
A 67-year-old married non-Latino white American woman suffering from treatment-resistant depression received intermittent tetraburst stimulation in combination with transcranial direct current stimulation weekly for 5 consecutive weeks. Diagnostic transcranial magnetic stimulation showed an observable electrophysiological change. The patient reported a drastic improvement in Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score up until 6-week follow-up and expressed satisfaction with the treatment.
Conclusions:
This case study suggests that a streamlined protocol for using non-invasive brain stimulation could prove more effective for patients and healthcare providers in terms of safety in comparison to the present guidelines.
