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Animal models of the mechanisms of action of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (RTMS): comparisons with electroconvulsive shock (ECS).

Publication ,  Journal Article
Lisanby, SH; Belmaker, RH
Published in: Depress Anxiety
2000

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive means of brain stimulation with a broad range of basic neuroscience and potential future clinical applications. Recent animal studies have shed some light on the mechanisms of action of rTMS, and broadened our understanding of how this intervention affects brain functioning acutely and chronically. Differences in the physical properties of magnetic and electrical stimulation result in marked disparities in the amount and distribution of electrical current induced in the brain; nevertheless, rTMS shares many of the behavioral and biochemical actions of electroconvulsive shock (ECS) and other antidepressant treatments. rTMS reduces immobility in the Porsolt swim task and enhances apomorphine-induced stereotypy, as does ECS. Although rTMS can induce a seizure when given at high enough doses, most studies have found subconvulsive levels of rTMS to be anticonvulsant. rTMS acutely modulates dopamine and serotonin content and turnover rates. Chronic rTMS modulates cortical beta-adrenergic receptors, reduces frontal cortex 5-HT2 receptors, increases 5-hydroxytryptamine1A receptors in frontal cortex and cingulate, and increases N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in the ventromedial hypothalamus, basolateral amygdala, and parietal cortex. More work will be needed to clarify and explore the mechanism behind the early suggestions that rTMS may exert long-term-potentiation-like or long-term-depression-like action on hippocampal activity. Finally, rTMS is emerging as yet another intervention, like ECS and other antidepressants, that can regulate gene expression and may have an impact on neuronal viability and synaptic plasticity.

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Published In

Depress Anxiety

DOI

ISSN

1091-4269

Publication Date

2000

Volume

12

Issue

3

Start / End Page

178 / 187

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Psychiatry
  • Neurotransmitter Agents
  • Models, Neurological
  • Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Electroconvulsive Therapy
  • Brain Mapping
  • Brain
  • Behavior, Animal
 

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Lisanby, S. H., & Belmaker, R. H. (2000). Animal models of the mechanisms of action of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (RTMS): comparisons with electroconvulsive shock (ECS). Depress Anxiety, 12(3), 178–187. https://doi.org/10.1002/1520-6394(2000)12:3<178::AID-DA10>3.0.CO;2-N
Lisanby, S. H., and R. H. Belmaker. “Animal models of the mechanisms of action of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (RTMS): comparisons with electroconvulsive shock (ECS).Depress Anxiety 12, no. 3 (2000): 178–87. https://doi.org/10.1002/1520-6394(2000)12:3<178::AID-DA10>3.0.CO;2-N.
Lisanby, S. H., and R. H. Belmaker. “Animal models of the mechanisms of action of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (RTMS): comparisons with electroconvulsive shock (ECS).Depress Anxiety, vol. 12, no. 3, 2000, pp. 178–87. Pubmed, doi:10.1002/1520-6394(2000)12:3<178::AID-DA10>3.0.CO;2-N.
Journal cover image

Published In

Depress Anxiety

DOI

ISSN

1091-4269

Publication Date

2000

Volume

12

Issue

3

Start / End Page

178 / 187

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Psychiatry
  • Neurotransmitter Agents
  • Models, Neurological
  • Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Electroconvulsive Therapy
  • Brain Mapping
  • Brain
  • Behavior, Animal