美发现跨颅磁刺激（TMS）能够治疗抑郁症

 
新的研究提示，跨颅磁刺激（TMS）能够以破坏性较小的方式，利用电磁能量来治疗抑郁、精神分裂以及其它精神疾病。

在过去电休克（ECT）一直被用于治疗抑郁和其它精神系统疾病，但是该疗法会产生短期的精神紊乱和记忆丧失，而且患者需要全身麻醉和肌肉松弛药物。

相比而言，TMS产生的刺激比ECT要更加温和而且局限。一种电子发生器能够在线圈中产生一系列强大的磁场，蓄积在踏板之上，可以将其放置在患者前额或者颅骨处。波动的磁力可以产生电流，作用在线圈下方区域的神经元。而且，磁场能够用于完全清醒的患者，患者却不会感到疼痛，在治疗的时候仍然可以阅读和谈话，治疗之后即可驾车回家。记忆不会受到影响。

根据2005年8月3日出版的《哈佛精神健康通讯》(Harvard Medical School; Boston, USA)报道，超过30项研究现在正在评估TMS治疗诸如中风、帕金森病、大脑麻痹。该通讯还报道说，大约40％对药物耐受的抑郁患者在接受TMS之后，症状出现了改善。这些对TMS治疗精神分裂、创伤后应激障碍的研究结果则比较混乱。一项对照试验显示TMS在治疗强迫性神经症方面，并不比假（sham）治疗效果好。

Brain Stimulation for Depression
 
New research suggests that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may offer a less disruptive way to use electromagnetic energy against depression, schizophrenia, and other psychiatric disorders.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been used in the past to treat depression and other psychiatric disorders but it can produce short-term confusion and memory loss, and patients require general anesthesia and muscle relaxants.

In contrast, TMS produces stimulation that is much milder and more localized than ECT. An electrical generator produces a series of strong magnetic fields in a wire coil, which is mounted on a paddle and positioned on or near a patient’s forehead or scalp. The fluctuating magnetic force produces an electrical current that influences neurons in the area directly under the coil. Moreover, the magnetic field can be applied to fully conscious patients, who feel no pain and can read and talk during treatment and drive home afterward. Memory is not affected.

More than 30 studies are now testing the potential of TMS for treating conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and cerebral palsy, according to the August 3, 2005, issue of the Harvard Mental Health Letter (Harvard Medical School; Boston, USA). The letter also reported that about 40% of patients with medication-resistant depression show some improvement after TMS. The findings on the effects of TMS on schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder are mixed. A controlled study showed that TMS was no more effective than sham treatment for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.