Neuropsychobiology
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Clinical studies have shown that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is effective in a certain percentage of treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) 10 Hz rTMS stimulation received FDA approval in 2008, although different rTMS protocols have also shown their effectiveness in reducing depressive symptoms. We investigated the clinical, cognitive and neurophysiologic effects of a 3 weeks' protocol of low-frequency rTMS applied over the right DLPFC in resistant depression. ⋯ Low-frequency rTMS over the right DLPFC appeared effective in 42.9% of depressive resistant subjects in this sample. A significant decrease in left hemisphere resting motor threshold was observed only in responders, while a trend for improvement in cognitive function has been found and appeared independent from clinical response.
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Neuropeptide S (NPS) exerts a dual arousal and anxiolytic effect in rodents, which may indicate the potential of a novel class of therapeutic agents in psychiatry. The purpose of this study is to fully describe the nature of electroencephalogram (EEG)-defined waking that mediates these arousal effects. ⋯ The findings suggest that NPS enhanced a consolidated waking associated with a subsequent compensatory EEG slow-wave homeostatic drive rather than rebound sleep duration. The characteristics of NPS-induced waking coupled with enhanced EEG theta oscillations without rebound in sleep are desirable therapeutic features in wake-promoting agents.