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Published in: Current Psychiatry Reports 4/2011

Open Access 01-08-2011

Update on Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Different Targets

Authors: Rianne M. Blom, Martijn Figee, Nienke Vulink, Damiaan Denys

Published in: Current Psychiatry Reports | Issue 4/2011

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Abstract

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic, disabling disorder. Ten percent of patients remain treatment refractory despite several treatments. For these severe, treatment-refractory patients, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been suggested as a treatment option. Since 1997, in published trials, a total of 110 OCD patients have been treated with rTMS. This review aims to provide an update on rTMS treatment in patients with OCD. First, the mechanism of action is discussed, followed by the efficacy and side effects of rTMS at various brain targets, and finally implications for the future. Due to the lack of studies with comparable stimulation or treatment parameters and with reliable designs, it is difficult to draw clear conclusions. In general, rTMS appears to be effective in open-label studies; however, this has not yet been replicated in randomized, sham-controlled trials.
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Metadata
Title
Update on Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Different Targets
Authors
Rianne M. Blom
Martijn Figee
Nienke Vulink
Damiaan Denys
Publication date
01-08-2011
Publisher
Current Science Inc.
Published in
Current Psychiatry Reports / Issue 4/2011
Print ISSN: 1523-3812
Electronic ISSN: 1535-1645
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-011-0205-3

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