Section - Quick Takes

05. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Positive Symptoms in Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review

Published on July 1, 2020 Expired on April 1, 2023

James Phelps, M.D.

Research Editor - Psychopharmacology Institute

Key Points

Although a recent review is not enthusiastic about the use of rTMS for auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia, older data are more supportive of this idea. Inhibitory pulses over the left temporoparietal cortex seem to work better than other approaches.

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Though a recent review is not enthusiastic about the use of rTMS for auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia, older data is more supportive of this idea. Inhibitory pulses over the left temporoparietal cortex seem to work better than other approaches.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over the occipital cortex can induce transient blindness. That would be using the low-frequency inhibitory pulses. So, reasoning forward, could it be used over the temporoparietal cortex to inhibit auditory hallucinations in patients with schizophrenia? To address this question, let’s look at a review of transcranial magnetic stimulation for auditory hallucinations from a team led by Taylor Marzouk at the Zucker School of Medicine in New York. They looked at 20 years of research on TMS for this purpose and reported here on the results of 30 clinical trials.

Now, for comparison, transcranial magnetic stimulation has been shown superior to sham TMS in major depression. That is

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Learning Objectives:

After completing this activity, the learner will be able to:

Reassess the role of antidepressants in the treatment of bipolar depression in light of a new review and new data suggesting that antidepressants could induce treatment resistance.
Compare current treatment options for adolescents with anorexia nervosa.
Evaluate a randomized trial which purports to show memantine improved memory outcomes in older patients with depression when used as an adjunct to escitalopram.
Examine the literature on the use of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.
Evaluate recent and older data on the use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for the treatment of auditory hallucinations in patients with schizophrenia.

Original Release Date: July 1, 2020

Review and Re-release Date: March 1, 2023

Expiration Date: April 1, 2023

Relevant Financial Disclosures:

James Phelps declares the following interests:

- McGraw-Hill: book on bipolar disorder

- W.W. Norton & Co.: book on bipolar disorder

All of the relevant financial relationships listed above have been mitigated by Medical Academy and the Psychopharmacology Institute.

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This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of Medical Academy LLC and the Psychopharmacology Institute. Medical Academy is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation Statement

Medical Academy designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.