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Cited by 17Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation StudiesElectroconvulsive Therapy StudiesBipolar Disorder and Treatment

Effects of intermittent theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation on cognition and hippocampal volumes in bipolar depression

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Torres, Ivan J., Ge, Ruiyang, McGirr, Alexander, Vila-Rodriguez, Fidel, Ahn, Sharon, Basivireddy, Jayasree, Walji, Nazlin, Frangou, Sophia +2 more·2023·Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience
DOI 10.1080/19585969.2023.2186189PMC PMC10026761
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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is increasingly used to treat neurocognitive symptoms in mood disorders. Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) is a brief version of TMS that may preferentially target cognitive functions. This study evaluated whether iTBS leads to cognitive improvements and associated increased hippocampal volumes in bipolar depression. METHODS: In a two-site double-blind randomised sham controlled trial (NCT02749006), 16 patients received active iTBS to the Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPF) and 15 patients received sham stimulation across four weeks. A composite neuropsychological score and declarative memory scores served as the cognitive outcomes. Hippocampal volumes were derived from T1 weighted MRI scans using the longitudinal ComBat method to harmonise data across sites. RESULTS: No significant improvements were observed in any cognitive variables in the active relative to the sham group; however, there was a trend for increased left hippocampal volume in the former. Left hippocampal volume increases were associated with improvements in nonverbal memory in the active group. CONCLUSIONS: Although cognitive improvements were not associated with iTBS, the finding that hippocampal volume increases were associated with memory improvement suggests there may be some level of prefrontal-temporal neuroplasticity that could support cognitive change in future studies of iTBS in bipolar disorder.

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Authors
Torres, I. J., Ge, R., McGirr, A., Vila-Rodriguez, F., Ahn, S., Basivireddy, J., Walji, N., Frangou, S., Lam, R. W., & Yatham, L. N.
Affiliations
  • University of British Columbia (CA)
  • University of Calgary (CA)
  • Non-Invasive Neurostimulation Therapies Laboratory, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Corresponding author
Torres, Ivan J.
ORCID
Venue
Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2023-03-16
Volume
25
Issue
1
Pages
24-32
ISSN
  • 1294-8322 (ISSN-L)
  • 1958-5969
DOI
10.1080/19585969.2023.2186189
PMC
PMC10026761
OpenAlex
W4327596310
Cited by
17
References
57
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 2
FWCI
1.75
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
philanthropic donation to LNY
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Electroconvulsive Therapy Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Bipolar Disorder and Treatment
Keywords
intermittent theta burst stimulation, bipolar depression, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, hippocampal volume, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, cognitive function, nonverbal memory, declarative memory, neuroplasticity, mood disorders, neuropsychological outcomes
MeSH terms
Bipolar Disorder, Cognition, Hippocampus, Humans, Theta Rhythm, Prefrontal Cortex, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

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