Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Mania: A Controlled Study

Objective:Left prefrontal transcranial magnetic stimulation has been reported to have ECT-like effects in depression; therefore, the authors planned a study of transcranial magnetic stimulation in mania.Method:Sixteen patients completed a 14-day double-blind, controlled trial of right versus left prefrontal transcranial magnetic stimulation at 20 Hz (2-second duration per train, 20 trains/day for 10 treatment days). Mania was evaluated with the Mania Scale, the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, and the Clinical Global Impression. Results:Significantly more improvement was observed in patients treated with right than with left prefrontal transcranial magnetic stimulation.Conclusions:The therapeutic effect of transcranial magnetic stimulation in mania may show laterality opposite to its effect in depression. Am J Psychiatry 1998; 155: 1608-1610